This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Marshawn Kneeland replied to a text message with praying hands.
That image is firmly planted in the mind of Greg Ellis as he tries to process the tragedy, Kneeland’s death by suicide, that has rocked the Dallas Cowboys and NFL universe.
It was their last exchange, roughly two months ago. Ellis, the former NFL defensive end who coached Kneeland last year but is no longer on the Cowboys coaching staff, reached out on Sept. 3, a day before Dallas opened the season at Philadelphia, with a message of encouragement about Kneeland's development as a football player.
Kneeland responded, “Yes, sir,” Ellis remembers, and added the emoji.
