This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes his team’s ‘Monday Night Football’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders will be “therapeutic” for the players.
Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Nov. 14 to discuss the Cowboys’ upcoming game in the aftermath of Marshawn Kneeland’s death by suicide.
Jones reflected on his experience playing a college football game for the University of Arkansas soon after former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
“I think it was therapeutic. You’re fortunate and that you’ve got that to dwell on it, your play. I’ll never forget when I was a junior, John Kennedy got killed, and we played a game on Saturday,” Jones said Friday. “Wasn’t the same circumstances, but just that early, it really caused you to get your mind away from the tragedy.”
Kneeland died last week while the Cowboys were on a bye. The Nov. 17 contest against the Raiders will be the Cowboys’ first game since Kneeland’s death.
Jones said Cowboys first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer has handled the situation well.
“One of his distinctive skills is people skills. He knows how to communicate. That’s a complete must when you’re coaching,” Jones said. “We’re proud of him.”
The Cowboys will wear a special helmet decal for the rest of the season to honor Kneeland. The Cowboys also started a “Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund” in part to help Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina, who is pregnant.