Former Cowboys DE Kneeland Had Early Stage CTE at Death

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions. The Boston University CTE Center confirmed Kneeland, who was 24, was in stage one of four stages of the disease. fishroad-app.com

CTE can only be diagnosed after death through brain tissue analysis. Kneeland's family made the announcement on Tuesday, highlighting the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes.