Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide last year, was suffering from stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), scientists confirmed. This isn't just a tragic personal story, it's a chilling reminder of the battle against brain disease still raging in high-contact sports, even for players in what we call the "modern era."
The Hard Truth About a Modern Player
The researchers at Boston University's CTE Center made this diagnosis through a postmortem brain tissue analysis of Kneeland, who was only 24 years old when he died. Dr. Ann McKee, the center's director, laid it out starkly: "Unfortunately, I was not surprised to find CTE in the brain of Mr Kneeland, because we have found this progressive brain disease in nearly half of the athletes we've studied who have died before the age of 30."
Stage 1 is the mildest form of CTE, but the symptoms are no joke: headaches and loss of attention or concentration are common. The CTE Society also points to short-term memory problems, depression, aggressive tendencies, and executive function issues in this initial stage. Kneeland's family said this diagnosis provided "important context" about the struggles he was facing, and they shared the information to help people understand what NFL and other high-contact sport athletes might be battling.
Kneeland's journey in football started young, like so many kids around the Emerald City. He started playing tackle football at age 7 and played for Western Michigan University before being drafted by the Cowboys in the second round in 2024. He played 18 times for the team, including four starts, before his death in November 2025.
Why We Can't Look Away From These Numbers
This diagnosis, which can only happen after death, highlights a problem that has been building for years. Research has shown that athletes in American football, rugby, and combat sports face a significantly higher risk of developing CTE than the general population. The Boston University CTE Center reported in 2023 that they had diagnosed CTE in a staggering 345 of the 376 former NFL players they had studied. Think about that: almost every single one.
The NFL has already agreed to a $1 billion settlement after facing lawsuits from over 5,000 former players, with more than 21,000 ex-players potentially eligible for compensation. But even with these massive numbers, Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation, pulls no punches. He said, "Mr Kneeland played in the modern era of concussion protocols and better helmets, and yet he still developed CTE. We have no reason to believe the current generation is at a lower risk of CTE than previous generations."
While CTE researchers note that the cause of suicide is complex and a postmortem CTE diagnosis isn't known to be a direct risk factor for suicide, Kneeland's case still screams that not enough has been done to lower the risk of this disease for athletes. We're talking about our players, our heroes, potentially struggling with something we can't even see until it's too late.
This isn't about blaming a player or a team; it's about a harsh reality facing the entire league. When someone who played with modern protocols, even for a short time, gets this diagnosis at 24, it screams for more action. We need to demand that player safety becomes more than just a buzzword. For every kid dreaming of Lumen Field, for every parent sending their child onto the field, we need real, tangible progress. This conversation cannot end. It has to be a constant. What are we going to do about it?
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.