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Former Dallas Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland had stage 1 CTE when he died by suicide
By NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· July 7, 2026
· 4 min read
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had Stage 1 CTE when he died by suicide last fall, according to a post-mortem analysis released by the Concussion and CTE Foundation on Tuesday.
The foundation said Kneeland’s family released the results of a post-mortem brain tissue analys...
Key takeaway The foundation said Kneeland’s family released the results of a post-mortem brain tissue analysis done at the Boston University CTE Center that diagnosed Kneeland with Stage 1 (of 4) chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
The diagnosis of Stage 1 CTE in former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland raises concerns about the long-term health effects of high-contact sports on local athletes. As a community within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Trophy Club is home to numerous young athletes who participate in contact sports, and Kneeland's story serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks involved. The fact that CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem highlights the need for continued research and awareness about the disease, particularly in local sports communities. Kneeland's family's decision to share his diagnosis may help raise awareness about the struggles that athletes in high-contact sports may face, and could potentially lead to increased support and resources for local athletes and their families. The connection to the Dallas Cowboys, with their headquarters in nearby Frisco, also underscores the local relevance of this story and the need for ongoing discussion about athlete health and safety.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had Stage 1 CTE when he died by suicide last fall, according to a post-mortem analysis released by the Concussion and CTE Foundation on Tuesday.
The foundation said Kneeland’s family released the results of a post-mortem brain tissue analys...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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