Both teams participated in tributes, including wearing special T-shirts, helmet decals, and observing a moment of silence.
The Cowboys played an inspired game, defeating the Raiders 33-16 in their first contest since Kneeland’s passing.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, whose brother also died by suicide, emphasized the importance of supporting one another and remembering that life is bigger than football.
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.
LAS VEGAS – Monday night was bigger than football. It was apparent by the atmosphere before kickoff.
The Dallas Cowboys wore custom Marshawn Kneeland T-shirts during pregame warmups. Members of the Las Vegas Raiders had on suicide prevention shirts with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Cowboys had decals on their helmets to honor Kneeland, and members of the team’s staff wore pins with his No. 94. Allegiant Stadium conducted a moment of silence for Kneeland just prior to kickoff.
It would’ve been understandable if the emotional toll from Kneeland’s death by apparent suicide on Nov. 6 was too much to bear for the Cowboys as they took the field for the first time since his passing. But the Cowboys played inspired in a convincing 33-16 victory in what might’ve been their most complete performance of the season.
“So proud of these guys. I mean, the way that they grieved, cried (and) laughed. But they wanted to honor (Kneeland), and we’re not done honoring him. He’s a part of our family forever,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said postgame. “But it’s been tough, man. I mean, these past 11 days been really tough. I’m proud of those guys, because just the way they played (Monday). They played with Marshawn’s to play style.”
Schottenheimer delivered a postgame message to the team about how proud Kneeland would’ve been of the team’s performance. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes. The much-maligned Cowboys defense sacked Raiders quarterback Geno Smith four times, intercepted him once and recorded a safety in the fourth quarter.
“Because of the type of person, teammate and friend he was and is, he definitely will be proud. We were running to the ball. We were playing hard, we were celebrating together as a defensive line,” said Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku, who preferred to speak of Kneeland in present tense. “He’s with us. He’s in our team meetings, he’s in our defensive line meetings. He’s practicing there with us, and he’s not going to be forgotten.”
Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa carried Kneeland’s 94 jersey to the visitors’ locker room after the win.
“It means the world to me to be able to honor him and honor his memory,” Odighizuwa said. “Being able to carry his jersey and carry his light and take it with us moving forward. He’s with us every step of the way.”
Kneeland’s jersey hung at a locker besides Cowboys players as they celebrated the win.
Prescott had “one love” – a phrase Kneeland liked to say – written on his wrist tape during the game. The Cowboys quarterback appropriately sported a hat that read “Love your people” after the game. Prescott’s brother, Jace, died by suicide in 2020.
The Cowboys quarterback delivered a message for the masses at his postgame press conference. He reminded everyone able to listen that everything that transpired in front of a prime-time national audience was bigger than just a game.
‘It’s one of these moments you realize this is just a game, and life is what’s important, and our connections, our relationships. You know, what we say to each other, how we can lift each other up, how we can be a helping hand, how we can be a true neighbor, a true brother, a true sister, and love one another. One love, like Marshawn lived by,” Prescott explained. “Hopefully we’d all continue to look at our neighbors, look at ourselves and ask, how can we be better? How can we help better them? And just a moment like I said, to understand that it’s much bigger than this game, and it’s about life.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.