Dak Prescott gives emotional interview after Marshawn Kneeland’s suicide

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he’s hurting after teammate Marshawn Kneeland died by suicide following a police pursuit Wednesday night into early Thursday in a Dallas suburb.

Prescott was visibly emotional when asked about the tragic loss while at his alma mater, Haughton High School (La.), for a special field dedication ceremony Thursday night.

“It’s been a very tough day … it started early finding out the news,” Prescott told CBS New Texas while at Prescott Field. “Tragic loss. I hurt. Heavy, heavy heart today. I hurt for Marshawn. I hurt for his family. I hurt for his girlfriend [Catalina]. I hurt for every single one of my teammates.

“This is a pain that you don’t wish upon anybody. You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn’t have to go through what he went through. And [I’m] just thankful for each moment we have in this life and don’t take it for granted — and hug and love on those that you do.”

Prescott — who lost his older brother, Jace, by suicide in 2020 — said it was a triggering day for him.

“It’s OK to feel however you’re feeling,” he said when asked if he had a message to anyone who may be struggling.

“And I’ll tell you first and foremost, I don’t always have the answers and today is not a day where I felt like I had answers.

“Triggering day for many reasons on top of just knowing that this [ceremony] was ahead today. It’s hard to balance my emotions today. Not a day that I have words other than I love you for friends and family and people who may be struggling.”

Kneeland died by suicide at the age of 24 following a police pursuit Wednesday night into early Thursday on Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Kneeland was found dead at 1:31a.m. with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Frisco police — who said they received information during their pursuit that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations.

According to 911 dispatch audio obtained by TMZ Sports, an operator stated that Kneeland’s girlfriend, whom the Cowboys identified as Catalina, stated she received a concerning message from Kneeland and was trying to contact the defensive end’s agent.

Dak’s older brother Jace was 31 when he died.

Their mother, Peggy, died of colon cancer when Dak was a sophomore at Mississippi State in 2013.

The quarterback said Jace took on a lot as their mom’s primary caregiver while she battled cancer, according to NBC Dallas.

“I mean, obviously tears and tears and tears,” Dak said of finding out about his brother’s passing. “I mean, I sat there and tried to gather what had happened and wanted to ask why for so many reasons.

“As much as you want to ask why as much as this, I mean, I know my brother, and as we said, he had a lot of burdens on him.”

Dak is the youngest of three brothers.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.