Todd Archer
FRISCO, Texas — For about 90 minutes Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys might take into consideration soccer as they ready for Monday's recreation towards the Las Vegas Raiders.
It has been solely eight days since they discovered of the loss of life of their teammate, Marshawn Kneeland, however coach Brian Schottenheimer talked to plenty of crew leaders earlier within the day who had a message.
“They're like, ‘We're performed speaking. We need to play,'” Schottenheimer stated. “And that as a coach will get you excited.”
Kneeland died from an obvious self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase, in response to authorities.
Final week, the Cowboys held a digital crew assembly whereas on their bye, then on Monday, they got here collectively as a bunch for the primary time. On Tuesday evening, a candlelight vigil was held for Kneeland's household, buddies and people contained in the Cowboys group.
After a day without work Wednesday, the Cowboys acquired again to work.
“Having handled loss, that's the greatest medication for me,” quarterback Dak Prescott stated. “So getting again on the market, handing the ball off and sprinting an additional 10 yards and ensuring I am doing it arduous, Marshawn went by means of my thoughts just a few instances at observe at this time. I simply countered that with working more durable after a play or attempting to do one thing to raised this crew to point out that. It felt good. I do know it was an excellent observe. A number of guys had been on the market, good vitality, lovely climate. As I stated, we're not forgetting, however we're transferring ahead carrying on the sunshine.”
Prescott and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas carry a unique burden to Kneeland's loss. Prescott's brother, Jace, died by suicide in 2020. Thomas' sister, Ella, died by suicide in 2018. Via their foundations, each gamers have pledged assist for psychological well being consciousness and aiding households touched by tragedy.
“It is a tragic loss of life,” Thomas stated. “It is a loss of life of a 24-year-old man who had a lot life to dwell. My coronary heart simply breaks for everybody, and my prayers exit to everybody. The one approach I understand how to get out of it, to maneuver ahead from a tragic state of affairs like this, is to dwell for that particular person, take the superb qualities that you just discovered from them, take the grins and recollections that you just get from him, and apply them to your life each day. Dwell for that particular person. Speak to their spirit. Maintain their spirit with you each day. The one approach I actually imagine you'll be able to let somebody die is just not dwelling with their spirit, not saying their identify, not speaking to them, not loving them, not feeling the grief. As a result of grief is ache. However grief can also be love. You're feeling that damage. You're feeling that guilt. You're feeling that disgrace. You're feeling the unhappiness and despair since you've had a lot love for that particular person.”
The Cowboys proceed to make counselors obtainable to gamers, coaches and workers.
Thomas stated gamers have leaned on one another throughout this troublesome time and known as for extra understanding of psychological well being issues.
“We're shedding so many superb individuals to it,” Thomas stated. “Those that needs to be right here serving to their family members. Spending birthdays with their family members, watching individuals get married. Like, it is such a preventable loss of life, and we simply want as a nation to come back collectively. Be form. Put extra funding into psychological well being assets. Assist individuals get to remedy and let individuals know it is OK to cry. Let individuals know it is OK to not at all times put a smile on and be good. Like, let individuals know you might be unhappy and completely happy and nonetheless have a great day.”
“So getting again on the market, handing the ball off and sprinting an additional 10 yards and ensuring I am doing it arduous, Marshawn went by means of my thoughts just a few instances at observe at this time. I simply countered that with working more durable after a play or attempting to do one thing to raised this crew to point out that. It felt good.”
Dak Prescott on returning to observe
Like Thomas, defensive sort out Osa Odighizuwa spoke on the vigil. Like Prescott, he was glad to be on the observe subject Thursday. However he additionally observed Kneeland was not there.
“It is nonetheless one thing that I am attempting to wrap my head round,” Odighizuwa stated. “I used to be at my locker earlier than observe and I appeared up and I felt like I noticed him, and, ‘Ah nah, that is another person.' It hits you, you recognize what I imply? Simply moments like that. It is nonetheless sinking in, to be trustworthy. It nonetheless does not really feel all the way in which actual.”
Huge receiver Ryan Flournoy was in the identical 2024 draft class as Kneeland. His spouse and Kneeland's girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, have grow to be good buddies. The couple went on quite a few double dates.
A basis has been began to assist care for Mancera, who's pregnant.
“For us, she's not alone. She's anticipating a baby, and we wish her and that youngster to by no means want,” Flournoy stated. “Marshawn was an excellent man. He would have been a implausible dad.”
The Cowboys could have two extra practices earlier than touring to Las Vegas on Sunday forward of the Raiders recreation. Thomas stated the grieving course of doesn't finish.
“If all of us play like Marshawn, we'll play like a greater crew,” Thomas stated. “I am not saying Marshawn was an ideal participant, however that approach he would go on the market and play is the way in which soccer is meant to be performed. He would run to the ball. Regardless of how drained he was, he would play with depth and tenacity. He went on the market as a result of he cherished the sport. He performed with love. He performed each play prefer it was his final and did not take reps without any consideration. … If we do this, we'll honor him — win, loss or draw — if we play like Marshawn. We'll be a greater crew. We'll come out of this higher.”
