Marshawn Kneeland became a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which would have been a proud moment for any parent. However, when his name was called, Kneeland was missing his mother, who had died two months before the draft.
The American football player’s dad and mom have supported him since the beginning of his career. So, it’s no wonder he dedicated his success to his parents, especially his late mother, Wendy.
Since the Dallas Cowboys picked him, eager eyes have circled the emerging NFL star. In June 2024, the Cowboys completed their on-field offseason work and signed him on a four-year $6.83 million contract.
So, Kneeland will join other players on the squad as edge rushers on the team’s defense. This news is significant for Marshawn and his family members. With the big news, Kneeland’s fans and well-wishers want to know more about his family background, which has been covered in depth in this writing.
Key Takeaways:
- Wendy and Shawn Kneeland are the parents of Marshawn Kneeland.
- Marshawn’s mother has sacrificed a lot for his career.
- He lost his mother just two months before the 2024 NFL draft.
- Kneeland is the only child of his father and mother.
Marshawn Kneeland Parents: Meet Wendy and Shawn Kneeland
Marshawn Kneeland was born to his parents, Wendy Kneeland and Shawn Kneeland, on July 8, 2001. Kneeland is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he spent most of his early days.
Like many athletes, Kneeland also developed an interest in sports from an early age, and his parents were always there to support him.
So, Kneeland attended Godwin Heights High School and mainly played linebacker and tight end. With his hard work and dedication, Kneeland later got an offer from Western Michigan University, where he played for the Broncos.
Gradually, Kneeland started to make more progress, making his parents and other family members proud.
The biggest news in his life came in April 2024 when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the second round (56th overall pick).
At that time, a video also went viral on social media in which Kneeland was sitting with his family members and close ones while they waited for Marshawn to be picked by the Cowboys. When Marshawn’s name was announced, everyone jumped with excitement.
Even if Kneeland’s mother could not witness his dream come true, the NFL player said she would still watch him from the other side. From his days in high school to the NFL grounds, his mom and dad were always by his side.
Over the years, Marshawn has been sharing posts on his social media of gratitude to his dad and late mom. In 2019, he posted a photo with his parents and captioned it, “I got the M&M’s. I called my mom and told her I made it.”
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Marshawn Kneeland Lost His Mother Before 2024 Draft
Marshawn Kneeland faced a tragic moment in his life just two months before the 2024 NFL draft. Reportedly, Kneeland’s mother, Wendy, passed away unexpectedly in mid-February 2024.
As of now, it has not been clear the reason behind her passing. So, it was hard for Kneeland as his mom had always been with him since he started his career.
Marshawn also talked about his mother, saying,
“She was the one driving me around, trying to find a place for me to do football when I was younger, I started off with two hand tap football. She was there for all of my games in high school, as much as she could. So, the thing I could do now is just make her proud and go there and be great in the NFL and keep pushing forward with her name.”
Likewise, Kneeland said that his mom would be by his side on draft night, witnessing the dream she sacrificed a lot for. So, when the Cowboys team picked Kneeland, he must have been proud, as his mother’s dream was also fulfilled.
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Does Marshawn Kneeland Have Siblings?
Marshawn Kneeland appears to be the single child of his parents, as there are no records of him having siblings. Kneeland also falls into the category of those who prefer to keep one’s personal life far from the public eye. So, he has never opened up about his siblings.
Kneeland can be followed on Instagram under the username @m_kneeland99, where he updates his followers about his daily life and events. None of his Instagram posts shows Kneeland having a brother or a sister. Meanwhile, Kneeland has friends who are like brothers to him.
On July 12, 2021, Marshawn took to his Instagram handle to share a photo with his close ones. While sharing the loving image, he wrote, “They ain’t got love for our gang, they would’ve shown it, we be outside so much, I swear they think we homeless.”
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Hey, I am Dipesh, a passionate web content writer who loves creating engaging stories and covering trending news. As a versatile writer, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to various websites. From sports to celebrity news, I’ve immersed myself in diverse topics. My articles offer readers a deeper understanding of various fields, including celeb controversies and scandals. My interest goes far from only the glamour of Hollywood. As a sports enthusiast, I take the opportunity to analyze the lives of athletes. Whether writing blog posts or articles, I try to bring a unique perspective to every project I take.
