Jerry Jones Announces Memorial Room for Marshawn Kneeland at AT&T Stadium

A Legacy Carved in Heartbreak

The Dallas Cowboys have announced a deeply emotional tribute to honor the life of Marshawn Kneeland, the young defensive end whose sudden passing shocked the NFL community.
On Thursday morning, team owner Jerry Jones released an official statement revealing plans to build a dedicated memorial room inside AT&T Stadium — a permanent space where fans, teammates, and future generations can remember the man who was more than just a player.

Speaking through visible emotion, Jones said,

“Marshawn wasn’t just a Cowboy — he was part of our family. His energy, his kindness, his heart… they left an imprint on everyone who met him. This room will make sure his light never fades from our home.”

Inside the Memorial

According to the Cowboys’ front office, the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Room will be located near the players’ entrance at AT&T Stadium — a place Marshawn walked through every game day with a smile on his face.
The space will feature:

• A digital wall of memories, displaying photos and videos from his time with the team.

• Personal items, including his helmet, jersey, and handwritten motivational notes he often left for teammates.

• A reflection area, where fans can leave messages and tributes.

• And, most poignantly, an inscription of one of Marshawn’s favorite quotes:

  “No matter how dark it gets, there’s always light in the fight.”

The Cowboys organization confirmed that the memorial will be unveiled before the team’s first home game of next season.

Jerry Jones’ Emotional Statement

During his announcement, Jerry Jones struggled to hold back tears as he spoke about the young player’s impact both on and off the field.

“He had a way of lifting people up,” Jones said softly. “You could be having the worst day, and Marshawn would find you, crack a joke, flash that grin, and suddenly everything felt lighter. That’s rare. That’s special.”

Jones added that Kneeland’s legacy extends far beyond football — it’s about compassion, perseverance, and quiet strength.

“This memorial isn’t about a loss,” he continued. “It’s about remembering the love and the light he brought into this building every day.”

Teammates Remember “The Heart of the Locker Room”

Players have also shared their memories of Marshawn, describing him as “the heart of the locker room.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott, who recently opened up about his personal connection to Marshawn’s struggles, was among the first to praise Jones’s decision.

“That room will mean everything,” Dak said. “We lost a brother, but now we have a place to keep him with us — not just in memory, but in spirit.”

Micah Parsons called the memorial “a place of peace,” adding,

“He always had our backs. Now, this is our way of having his.”

A Community Moved by Tragedy

Across Texas, fans have responded with an outpouring of support. Vigils have been held outside AT&T Stadium, with supporters lighting candles, laying flowers, and wearing Marshawn’s number in his honor.

One fan wrote on social media:

“We cheer for touchdowns, but today we cry for a soul that touched us all. Thank you, Jerry, for giving us a way to say goodbye.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also commended the Cowboys organization for their heartfelt gesture, saying,

“What the Cowboys are doing reflects the true spirit of this sport — family, compassion, and community.”

Turning Pain Into Purpose

Jones ended his announcement with a message that resonated across the sports world:

“We can’t bring Marshawn back, but we can make sure no one forgets who he was — the laughter, the fight, the heart. Every young player who walks through that room will know what it means to be a Cowboy: to care, to lead, to love your brothers.”

He also hinted that the team would be launching the Marshawn Kneeland Foundation, dedicated to supporting mental health awareness among young athletes — an initiative inspired by Dak Prescott’s recent comments about his late teammate’s emotional struggles.

“If this helps even one young person find hope when they feel lost,” Jones said, “then Marshawn’s story will keep saving lives.”

A Home Forever in Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys have seen legends come and go — names that defined eras, lifted trophies, and filled stadiums with cheers. But Marshawn Kneeland’s name will now echo in a different way — not in stats or records, but in love, remembrance, and humanity.

When the memorial opens next season, one thing will be certain:
every fan who steps inside will feel the warmth of a young man who gave everything to the game — and whose spirit, as Jerry Jones said, “will live forever in the heart of this team.”