NFL player Marshawn Kneeland of Dallas Cowboys dead aged 24

Warning: This story contains discussion of suicide.

The Dallas Cowboys and America's gridiron world are in mourning after the sudden death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died aged 24.

Police in Frisco, Texas, issued a news release outlining events that began Wednesday night and resulted in his body being found Thursday morning, local time.

The Frisco department said it was asked by the Texas Department of Public Safety around 10:40pm to help locate a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit that entered Frisco.

Troopers found the car minutes later after it crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway.

The driver, identified as Kneeland, abandoned the car and walked away from the scene. The Texas DPS said a trooper had tried to pull him over for an alleged traffic violation and he did not stop.

After instituting a search using both K-9 and drone units, law enforcement found Kneeland dead at 1:31am. Frisco police said they learned Kneeland had expressed suicidal thoughts.

The Collin County medical examiner will officially determine the cause of death.

TMZ posted audio of the discussion between the dispatcher and responding officers on its website on Thursday afternoon.

On the tape, the dispatcher lets the officers in the field know that he had taken a call from a woman identified as Kneeland's girlfriend, who reported that he was armed, had a history of mental health challenges and would "end it all."

She added he had been sending goodbye messages via text to loved ones.

Police in Plano, Texas, where Kneeland lived, told the Dallas Morning News that they had been asked to do a wellness check at the player's home and that he was not there. Per the conversation between the dispatcher and officers, that request came directly from the NFL.

The officers said they had used a heat-sensing tool to pinpoint a person in a portable toilet and said they saw blood coming from it before they approached.

The Cowboys announced the death of Kneeland, a second-year player, earlier in the morning.

"It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning," the statement said.

"Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organisation. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family."

The Cowboys selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Western Michigan alum had 18 appearances (four starts) in his career, recording 26 tackles, four quarterback hits, one sack and one fumble recovery.

On Monday, in the Cowboys' 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, he recovered a blocked punt in the second quarter to score his first career touchdown.

Agent Jonathan Perzley, of Sportstars Inc issued a statement about his client.

"I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, practice, and every moment on the field," the statement read.

"To lose someone with his talent, spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words. My heart aches for his family, his teammates and everyone who loved him. And I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time.

"I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss."

Kneeland experienced heartbreak a few years ago when his mother, Wendy Kneeland, died before the draft.

"It was definitely tough," Kneeland said after the draft.

"I just managed it. She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her, ‘I'm going to the NFL' and I made it."

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