Former Cowboys coach Aaron Whitecotton honors Marshawn Kneeland with powerful message during men’s mental health awareness month
The Dallas Cowboys are honoring Marshawn Kneeland’s memory the right way. And that extends to former Cowboys, as well, like now Tennessee Titans DL coach Aaron Whitecotton.
The Dallas Cowboys are honoring Marshawn Kneeland’s memory in more ways than one. The team recently installed a tribute for him in the locker room and the coaching staff took a moment to share the news about Kneeland’s recently-born son.
But it isn’t just current Cowboys keeping Kneeland’s memory alive, but former as well.
Tennessee Titans defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, formerly DL coach for the Cowboys, wore a pin honoring Kneeland in a press conference on Wednesday. When asked about it, Whitecotton was moved to tears as he shared a simple but powerful message.
Former Cowboys coach honors Kneeland’s memory
“I miss Marshawn every day,” a choked-up Whitecotton said. “I love him. I’m really thankful that we have his baby boy to carry on his legacy. Because Marshawn was a special guy, man. He was a special guy to me.”
Though Whitecotton was with the Cowboys only one season, Kneeland impacted him in a similar way he impacted all teammates and coaches. He’s often described by people who knew him as a very loving individual. In fact, “One Love” was known as his personal motto.
“I’ll leave it at that, I miss him every day,” Whitecotton added. “I know his family misses him every day. This world misses him every day. He was an amazing young man, like I said I miss him but so thankful that I got to meet him and be around him.”
Whitecotton’s message comes in June, which is known as men’s mental health awareness moth. Kneeland, who played defensive end for the Cowboys two seasons, lost his life to suicide last November.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday the team plans to be there for Kneeland’s son and his mother Catalina.
“We want to make sure we do a great job of looking out for her and Baby Makhai,” Schottenheimer said.