The Dallas Cowboys returned to the field on Monday night carrying more than just competitive pressure. The team entered Allegiant Stadium still grieving the loss of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died earlier this month. Their 33–16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders became more than a football game—it was a tribute.
A Night Filled With Symbolic Tributes
As Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer walked off the field, he pointed repeatedly to his T-shirt—a memorial shirt honoring Kneeland. The 24-year-old player died on November 6 from what authorities reported as a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a brief police pursuit.
Schottenheimer said wearing the shirt stirred deep emotion.
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bring tears,” he said, explaining that the team wanted to play in a way that would have made Kneeland proud.
From the sidelines to the locker room, tributes were everywhere:
- Players wore shirts featuring Kneeland’s image.
- A blue No. 94 helmet decal honored his jersey number.
- His game jersey hung both in the locker room and behind the bench throughout the matchup.
- Fans held handmade signs, and a pre-game moment of silence filled the stadium.
Defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton arrived in a replica No. 94 jersey, while Raiders players wore shirts promoting mental-health awareness—featuring the message “Call an Audible” and the crisis hotline number 988.
Team Leaned on Grief Counseling Before Returning to Play
The Cowboys had just come off a bye week, but their time away from the field was spent processing tragedy. The organization brought in grief counselors for team sessions and small-group meetings. A candlelight vigil for Kneeland was held last Tuesday.
When players returned to practice on Thursday, several described it as a relief—a step toward healing.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, who finished the night with four touchdown passes, said the team wanted their effort to reflect Kneeland’s intensity.
“We played the way he played—full of energy and effort,” Prescott said. “His legacy is something we’ll carry all season.”
Prescott also honored his teammate with the words “One love” written on his wrist tape, a phrase Kneeland often used.
Defense Delivered One of Its Strongest Performances
The Cowboys’ defense responded with one of their sharpest outings of the season. They allowed only 236 total yards and one touchdown.
Key defensive highlights included:
- Raiders quarterback Geno Smith facing pressure on 16 of his 49 dropbacks
- Four sacks and 18 quarterback hits
- Consistent disruption from the defensive front, which several players said was inspired by Kneeland’s unforgettable effort level
Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa said players had to find a way to channel their emotions.
“In this sport you learn to play through pain,” he said. “This is different, but you repurpose that pain and keep moving.”
Offense Spreads the Ball as Emotions Run High
Prescott threw touchdowns to four different receivers—CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, and Jake Ferguson.
For Flournoy, the moment carried special meaning. He and Kneeland were known to be extremely close, as were their partners.
After scoring, Flournoy paused, looked upward, and took a moment to dedicate it to his friend.
“He was our brother,” Flournoy said. “He might be gone, but he’s still with us.”
Controlled Focus Before Kickoff, Emotional Release After
Schottenheimer described the pre-game atmosphere as focused and determined, with music playing in the background and players preparing quietly. Once the game started, that calm turned into one of the team’s most unified displays of the year.
The Cowboys said they plan to continue wearing the memorial shirts next week against the Philadelphia Eagles, and some players intend to keep wearing them for the rest of the season.
A Win That Meant More Than Football
While the victory keeps Dallas competitive in the playoff race, players and coaches made clear that Monday’s performance was about something deeper. It was a chance to honor a teammate, a friend, and a young man whose presence still lingers within the team.
As Schottenheimer noted, they played with the belief that Kneeland was watching.
And judging by their effort, they played like they wanted to make him proud.
