Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland’s death prompts motorcycle‑friend circle to honor his memory with a memorial ride and heartfelt reflections

A month after Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland took his own life, a group of friends who met on motorcycles is paying tribute to his memory in a quiet, heartfelt way.

The Tragic Loss

Kneeland’s death came after a welfare check and a police chase, leading to his suicide. The loss reverberated not only among teammates but also among friends he made while riding motorcycles.

A Friendship Born on Two Wheels

Yahya Mahmoud, a University of North Texas student, became close to Kneeland through their shared passion for motorcycling. Mahmoud said, “He was a very humble guy. Very lowkey.” He added that he didn’t realize at first that his friend was the same Marshawn Kneeland who played for the Dallas Cowboys. Mahmoud also noted, “Nothing between me and him really changed.” Over the past year, the two rode motorcycles together twice a week, building a friendship rooted in a shared love of the open road. Mahmoud described the vibe around Kneeland as, “There was a vibe around him — it was like seeing a big, giant teddy bear walking in front of you, pretty much,”.

The Final Touch

Mahmoud was watching when Kneeland scored a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. He recalled, “We jumped out of our seats, we were screaming and everything.” The congratulatory text he sent became one of the last messages he ever sent his friend. Days later, Mahmoud woke up to the news that Kneeland had taken his own life. He said, “I didn’t go to class. Kind of just self-isolated for three or four days. Just didn’t talk to anyone, really.” Mahmoud added, “It was really devastating. I even texted him, I was like, ‘Bro, is this a prank or something?’ Like, I didn’t really think it was real.” A month later he said the loss still doesn’t feel real. He reflected, “I used to talk to him on a daily, like, since the day we met. It was almost every single day,”.

Memorial Ride

Mahmoud and others joined a memorial ride over the weekend, organized by Adam Zoubi, another friend who rode with Kneeland regularly. Zoubi said, “Remember what he loved to do on this earth. He’s my best friend, man, I’ve been knowing him for a while. Celebrated holidays together. We were together once or twice a week, at least.” For Mahmoud, the road feels emptier now. He said, “Anytime he was in a room, he was just always smiling, no matter what. In every situation, you can just count on him to just be that light in the darkness.”.

A Call for Support

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org — callers will be connected with trained counselors available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

Key Takeaways

• Marshawn Kneeland’s suicide after a welfare check and police chase deeply affected both teammates and motorcycle friends.
• Yahya Mahmoud and Adam Zoubi organized a memorial ride to honor Kneeland’s love of riding.
• The friendship, built over a year of weekly rides, remains a poignant reminder of the impact of sudden loss.