Total Pro Sports
NBC’s Sunday Night Football received a lot of hate after color commentator Cris Collinsworth repeatedly brought up the death of Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland during the game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Viewers reacted as Collinsworth mentioned Kneeland while discussing the Cowboys’ struggles this season. Many felt his way of saying was insensitive during a live broadcast.
Kneeland, a second-year Cowboys player from Western Michigan, died by suicide in November. The Cowboys publicly mourned him, calling him a “beloved teammate.” While the team has openly grieved, but the broadcast handled the topic poorly.
During the NBC telecast, Collinsworth listed the Dallas Cowboys’ challenges, reportedly saying, “You know the Cowboys have struggled a lot this year, Micah leaving, suicide on the team.” Social media users criticized both his wording and timing.
Fans also pointed out that Collinsworth mentioned Kneeland’s death multiple times, which was not acceptable at all.
Social media platforms were filled with frustration as viewers shared clips and reactions.
One user on X wrote, “Collinsworth casually rattling off ‘suicide on the team’ like a sprained ankle.”
Collinsworth casually rattling off “suicide on the team” like a sprained ankle
— 🧀is🔙 (@McKinneyDPOY) December 15, 2025
Another asked, “Can Chris Collinsworth stop mentioning suicide????”
Can Chris collinsworth stop mentioning suicide????
— Tyson Wilson (@Tyson_NFL) December 15, 2025
Several fans questioned why the broadcaster kept returning to the topic. One post read, “Why has Cris Collinsworth mentioned Marshawn killing himself multiple times on the broadcast tonight?”
Why has Cris Collinsworth mentioned
Marshawn killing himself multiple times on the broadcast tonight? ?#SNFonNBC #DallasCowboys— The Don Picks (@TheDonPicks_) December 15, 2025
Another user said, “There was no reason for Cris Collinsworth to mention Marshawn Kneeland like that.”
There was no reason for Cris Collinsworth to mention Marshawn Kneeland like that.
— HeisenBurgh (@HeisenBurghh) December 15, 2025
Although NBC has not yet responded.
Kneeland died after police chased him for a traffic violation. Officers lost sight of him during the pursuit. He later got out of his car, ran on foot, and took his own life. His girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, told police he had a history of mental illness.
The Cowboys honored Kneeland with a tribute on the jumbotron at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and continue to remember him.
Cris Collinsworth has been a broadcaster since the late 1980s and has called Sunday Night Football games since 2006. This controversy raises new questions about how broadcasters should handle tragedies on live TV.
