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Summary:
- The Dallas Cowboys played their first game since Marshawn Kneeland’s death assing, wearing shirts and helmet decals in his memory.
- Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes as Dallas beat Las Vegas 33–16.
- Players and coaches said their focus was on honoring Kneeland’s effort, energy, and legacy.
Brian Schottenheimer didn’t try to hide how emotional Monday night was for him. As he walked off the field at Allegiant Stadium, NFL fans cheering after the Dallas Cowboys’ 33-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, he kept tapping the front of his shirt.
It was one of the tribute shirts made for Marshawn Kneeland, the defensive end who died on November 6 in what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a short police chase.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some tears when I first put this shirt on, as you can imagine
Schottenheimer said. His voice was rough, and it was clear the night carried far more weight than the score.
But more than anything, I know Marshawn was looking down on us, and we wanted to make him proud. And I think we did that.
Prescott: “He’ll Always Be With Us.”
The Cowboys had spent most of the week trying to process the loss. After returning from their bye, they met with grief counselors both as a full team and in smaller groups. On Tuesday, they held a candlelight vigil.
By the time they were back on the practice football field Thursday, a few players said simply being active again helped, even if the heaviness wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Players spoke openly about wanting their performance to reflect the way Kneeland played.
Dak Prescott after throwing four touchdown passes,
This doesn’t put a cap on it. We’re going to continue to move forward, shining a light on Marshawn and carrying his legacy. And we need to play like this every week moving forward. He’ll always be with us.
Prescott taped “One love” on his wrist, a phrase Kneeland used often. Fans carried homemade signs. The team held a moment of silence. Helmets had a blue No. 94 decal, and Kneeland’s jersey hung both in the locker room and behind the defensive bench.
Assistant coaches wore his number. Schottenheimer said some players will probably wear the shirts all season.
The Raiders joined in as well, wearing warmup shirts that read “Call an Audible” with “988” on the back, referencing the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Best Defense of the Year
Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa said the group tried to channel its grief.
Just being able to compartmentalize and take that pain and use it
On the field, the Cowboys played one of their sharpest defensive games of the year. They allowed only one touchdown and held the Raiders to 236 yards. Geno Smith struggled under steady pressure, getting sacked four times and hit 18.
Prescott spread his four touchdown passes around. One of them went to Ryan Flournoy, who was especially close to Kneeland. After scoring, he paused and looked upward.
Flournoy said
All season long, we’re going to play for him. He’s gone, but he’s not gone. He’s still with us.
