Micah Parsons opens up with heartfelt message on mental health following the passing of former teammate Marshawn Kneeland
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at 24 years old, the team announced Thursday morning.
Marshawn Kneeland’s tragic passing this week is tough for everyone around the NFL, but especially those who were closer to him. Now with the Green Bay Packers, edge defender Micah Parsons spent a year in the same locker room as Kneeland as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, and the star had a touching press availability on Friday, when he talked about his relationship with the young player and mental health.
“These are hard conversations, and it’s something you should talk to a professional about, seek professional help,” Parsons said. “We’d be fools to think what we do doesn’t already come with enough pressure.
“We live in a pressured job, where you’re expected to deliver and play a certain way, and when you don’t, it’s easy for people to say, ‘Oh man, it’s so sad,’ but a lot of people are harsh. They say things like, ‘You suck. You stink. We hope you die.’ There are a lot of harsh words and things said about people. As athletes, most of us see it. Some of us don’t. But we tend to wait until someone passes to realize what we say and do can affect people.”
The human side of Kneeland’s death
Kneeland, 24, played one year with Parsons. A second-round pick in 2024, he was in the middle of his second NFL season.
“Marshawn is a guy who loved his anime and loved his video games like anybody else,” Parsons added. “He’s always shown me nothing but respect. From the moment he came into the locker room, he respected me as a player and as a person. I have nothing but high respect for him. If there’s anything his family needs, I’ll be the first person to help or offer anything I can. I just hope he finds his peace and his family finds theirs in this situation.”
Parsons said he’s close to family, which helps him handle the situation and the pressure of playing in the NFL. And he stressed how important it is to lean on people we love and trust.
“In life, I’ve been extremely blessed, and most of us who are still here have been extremely blessed,” Parsons explained. “We’ve had amazing people in our lives to be there for us. I’ve had family who dealt with these same challenges, we all have. It’s how we can be there for them in the most impactful way possible. I’ve witnessed things I shouldn’t have with family members, and now we’re super close, and I’m there for them as much as I possibly can be. So it’s how we can do that. Hotlines aside and people saying, ‘Oh, you can call this person,’ who you can truly trust and count on to be there for you, because that’s what it’s about.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or having thoughts of self-harm, you’re not alone. Help is available right now. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit 988lifeline.org for more information and resources.
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