(NEW YORK) — Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at 24, according to the NFL.
Kneeland was a second-round pick out of Western Michigan in 2024 and played in a reserve role for the Cowboys.
No cause of death was announced.
Kneeland scored a touchdown when he recovered a blocked punt against the Cardinals on Monday, the only one of his career.
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” his agent, Jonathan Perzley, said in a statement. “I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys.”
“Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field,” he continued. “To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.”
Kneeland played 11 games as a rookie last year and then seven games this season. He had his only career sack in the opening game this season against the Eagles.
(NEW YORK) — Retired NFL star Tom Brady said this week that his dog Junie is a clone of his late dog Lua.
In a statement shared Tuesday by biotechnology and genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences, in which the former quarterback is an investor, Brady said that he worked with the company for “a second chance with a clone of our beloved dog.”
The news comes as Colossal announces its acquisition of Viagen Pets and Equine, “the global leader and expert in animal cloning,” according to a press release.
According to the press release, Viagen is the only organization outside of Colossal to have successfully cloned endangered species.
“I love my animals. They mean the world to me and my family,” Brady said Tuesday.
“A few years ago, I worked with Colossal and leveraged their non-invasive cloning technology through a simple blood draw of our family’s elderly dog before she passed,” he continued. “In a few short months, Colossal gave my family a second chance with a clone of our beloved dog.”
He added, “I am excited how Colossal and Viagen’s tech together can help both families losing their beloved pets while helping to save endangered species.”
Lua, a pit bull mix, died in December 2023. She was a beloved member of Brady’s family.
At the time, Brady’s ex-wife Gisele Bundchen, announced the news in an Instagram post, writing, “She will forever live in our hearts.”
Viagen previously cloned Paris Hilton’s dog Diamond and Barbra Streisand’s dog Samantha.
Viagen has “successfully cloned 15 species” total, including the black-footed ferret and Przewalski’s horse, according to this week’s press release.