Marshawn Kneeland and the CTE Reality | Texas News

A tragic new case in the CTE crisis: Marshawn Kneeland, 24, a former Dallas Cowboys defensive end who died in November 2025, was confirmed to have Stage 1 CTE — a brain disease tied to repeated head trauma. His family partnered with Boston University and the Concussion & CTE Foundation to study his brain, revealing that even with modern safety gear, CTE remains a serious risk for young athletes. Nearly half of those studied who died before age 30 showed CTE signs, underscoring the need for better prevention. Dr. Chris Nowinski warns current protocols aren’t enough — the focus must shift to reducing head impacts. Kneeland’s family, now welcoming a new son, requests privacy. The foundation emphasizes CTE isn’t a direct cause of suicide — if you or someone you know is struggling, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/afe52e48686553d8