safety
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death
By Jim Vertuno, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 3 min read
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions, his family announced Tuesday.The Boston University CTE Center, wh...
Key takeaway The Boston University CTE Center, which investigates the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes and others, analyzed Kneeland's brain tissue after his death.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The revelation that former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had early stage CTE at the time of his death raises concerns about the long-term health consequences for athletes in contact sports in the Pearland community. As a city with a strong presence of youth and high school sports, the findings of CTE in a young athlete like Kneeland serve as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with repeated head trauma. The fact that CTE can only be diagnosed after death underscores the need for local sports organizations and schools to prioritize concussion protocols and athlete safety. With many Pearland residents having ties to the NFL and other contact sports, the Kneeland family's efforts to raise awareness about CTE may resonate deeply in the community, prompting a re-examination of how to protect young athletes from the potential devastating effects of repetitive brain trauma.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions, his family announced Tuesday.The Boston University CTE Center, wh...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jim Vertuno, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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