The tragedy was especially painful for Thomas, whose sister Ella Thomas died by suicide in 2018. As a result, the football star felt particularly called upon to help his teammates through difficult situations.
“Losing my sister to suicide is a very emotional thing for me,” he explained. “But (I definitely have) a responsibility to be here for my teammates and let them know that there’s help out there, there’s love out there, and there’s a way to get through this together in a way that honors Marshawn, but also honors our own feelings.”
According to a press release from local authorities, Kneeland was killed on the night of November 5 when he was struck by a car during a chase by Texas state troopers, and then fled the scene on foot. His body was discovered early the next day.
Hours after the fatal crash, Kneeland’s family released a statement saying they were “still coming to terms with the depth of our grief.”
“While Marshawn made his mark on the Dallas Cowboys football field, he was even more special off the field as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend,” the Facebook statement said. “His light shined brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit lives on in the countless hearts he inspired.”
