Former Western Michigan University football player Marshawn Kneeland had a brain disease associated with contact sports when he died by suicide in November of last year.
That’s according to a statement from his family. Kneeland was a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys when he shot himself after a high-speed chase with police in Texas.
The Athletic reports 24-year-old Kneeland had stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. Boston University’s CTE center made the diagnosis after analyzing Kneeland’s brain tissue.
The disease is associated with sports where athletes receive repeated blows to the head. It can cause impulsive behavior and depression.
Kneeland’s family released a statement through the Concussion and CTE Foundation:
“While this diagnosis does not change the tragedy of his passing, it provides important context about some of the struggles he may have been facing.”
In a statement to WMUK, Western Michigan University spokesperson Paula Davis described Kneeland as "a valued member of the Bronco community as a student and a student-athlete."
"We miss him," she added. "Our thoughts remain with his family, friends and former teammates. We are aware of the recent finding and are hopeful that this new information is helpful context to all who knew and cared for this special young man."
