Rob Demovsky
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Micah Parsons frolicked Friday remembering and reflecting on his former Dallas Cowboys teammate Marshawn Kneeland, who died Thursday of what authorities stated was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Parsons, who was traded from the Cowboys to the Packers in August, performed one season in Dallas with Kneeland, a second-round draft decide in 2024.
“Marshawn's a man who liked his anime, liked his video video games like anyone else,” Parsons stated. “To me, he at all times confirmed me nothing however respect from the second he got here into the locker room. He revered me as a participant; he revered me as an individual. So, I've nothing however excessive respect for him. If there's something his household wants, I will be the primary individual to assist or provide something I can do to supply an individual. I simply hope that he finds his peace and his household peace within the scenario.”
Throughout his repeatedly scheduled session with reporters, Parsons spoke at size about Kneeland and psychological well being because it pertains to skilled athletes.
“We might be fools to behave like what we do is not sufficient stress as it's,” Parsons stated. “We reside in a stress job the place you are anticipated to ship and also you're anticipated to play a sure manner, and when you do not, it is easy to say, ‘Oh, man, it is so unhappy,' however lots of people are arduous on individuals. ‘You suck. You stink. We hope you die.' There's a variety of harsh phrases and harsh issues that get stated about individuals.
“As athletes, most of us see it — a few of us do not — however we select to attend till any person passes to comprehend what we are saying and what we do, the way it can have an effect on individuals. We do not all perceive what occurred to ‘9-4' in [this] occasion, however psychological well being is essential about being there for one another, whether or not we're going by way of arduous occasions or no matter it might be. It is robust. It is a arduous job. However it's arduous to be an individual generally. I feel generally individuals evade that you're human. They attempt to go away from that. Typically you want issues was totally different as a result of … clearly, it was Marshawn the person who we want we may've been there for him, not Marshawn the uniform. So, I am simply making an attempt to be there for individuals extra the individual facet than the soccer facet.”
Since he got here to Inexperienced Bay, Parsons has spent a lot of his time away from his household. However he stated he was grateful that a few of his relations had been already in Inexperienced Bay this week prematurely of Sunday's recreation towards the Eagles when he obtained the information about Kneeland.
“We must always all simply use this time to remain prayed up. Preserve praying — praying to your family members, praying that individuals discover peace,” Parsons stated. “After which additionally simply proceed to achieve out to our family members. It made me attain out to some buddies I've again dwelling, former teammates, about how we took as a right the time we've got collectively. Life's simply so quick so we should always actually simply begin appreciating somewhat bit extra and simply loving individuals proper and being purposeful with our intent and the way we deal with individuals and the way we settle for individuals.”
Cowboys gamers have been off this week as a result of the staff is on its bye, which made Parsons one of many first present or former teammates of Kneeland to talk publicly.
“I've to discover a strategy to embrace my feelings, embrace all the things I am feeling for his household, my former teammates,” Parsons stated. “I acquired former teammates which are devastated. They can not know it. Shedding a teammate is sort of a brother. That is somebody — individuals do not realize how a lot we're truly collectively, like time spent. That is the problem. Like regardless, the NFL is sort of a brotherhood. It would not matter who it's. In the event you're breaking sweat, breaking blood with somebody whether or not it is reverse staff or similar staff, it is a brotherhood. Attempting to place that apart is difficult, however we gotta discover a manner as a result of there's an expectation come Monday night time.”
Parsons stated he acquired phrase of Kneeland's dying early Thursday morning and came upon shortly thereafter that Kneeland died of what authorities stated was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Based on Frisco (Texas) Police, the division responded to help the Texas Division of Public Security with finding a automobile that evaded troopers throughout a pursuit that entered the town at roughly 10:39 p.m. native time Wednesday.
DPS troopers discovered Kneeland's automobile crashed on the southbound Dallas Parkway close to Warren Parkway. Based on the report, Kneeland fled the scene on foot, and officers searched the realm with assist from Okay-9 and drone models.
As authorities had been on the lookout for Kneeland, a dispatcher informed officers that individuals who knew him had obtained a gaggle textual content from the participant “saying goodbye. They're involved for his welfare,” in response to recordings from Broadcastify, which archives public security radio feeds.
Roughly three hours later, Kneeland was discovered with what seemed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
ESPN's Todd Archer contributed to this report.
