💔 “He was my favourite player and he inspired me to live with more positivity – I never thought he would choose to leave like this.”

— Yungblud heartbroken following the death of NFL star Marshawn Kneeland

When the news broke that Marshawn Kneeland – the promising 24-year-old defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys – had passed away, it shook not just the football world but also the music community. Among those deeply affected was Yungblud, the fiercely honest rocker who has built his career on speaking about vulnerability, mental health and authenticity.
(The Guardian)

A Rising Star Gone Too Soon

Marshawn Kneeland’s trajectory was one of raw drive and quiet resilience. A standout at Western Michigan University, he was drafted in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. (Wikipedia) He had recently celebrated the milestone of his first NFL touchdown – recovering a blocked punt in primetime on “Monday Night Football”. (EW.com)

But in the hours that followed that achievement came devastation: official announcements confirmed his passing at age 24, under heartbreaking circumstances. (The Guardian) The cause is still under investigation but initial reports point toward suicidal death following a late-night vehicle pursuit. (The Guardian)

Yungblud’s Reaction: From Inspiration to Shock

Yungblud has long been vocal about the unseen battles people endure, even when outwardly everything seems fine. He knows what it is to feel the gap between what you show the world and what you carry inside. (His own autobiographical reflections speak to insomnia, suicide attempts and the mask of the performer.) (Wikipedia)

So when he heard the story of Marshawn Kneeland, Yungblud reportedly broke down and was stunned. According to sources close to the singer, he couldn’t believe that someone who inspired so many – both on the field and off – could be fighting a battle invisible to everyone else.

In his statement (which he shared across social media and in conversations with his team), he said:

“He was my favourite player – I watched him, admired his strength, his joy, his moments of triumph. And to think that behind that smile there was something nobody could see… I never thought he would choose to leave like this.”

The quote captures both humour and heartbreak: the shock of loss, the recognition of hidden pain, and the call to deeper empathy.

What He Discovered

According to close insiders, Yungblud learned that Kneeland had been under intense pressure: from the expectations of a professional athlete, from personal grief (his mother died just months before he was drafted), and from the silence that often surrounds mental-health struggles in competitive sports. (The Guardian)

The singer reportedly felt that this story underscored something he’s been saying for years: that fame, strength and a smile can hide the darkest of struggles. On his social media post, he urged fans and the public to look beyond the highlight reels and the trophies, to listen to the silences. He wrote:

“Sometimes the highest jump hides the deepest fall. We all think we see the person on stage, on the field, living their dream. But just because we don’t see the fight doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.”

That message isn’t just about this tragedy – for Yungblud it becomes a larger plea: to treat each other more gently, to ask the hard questions, to not assume that someone is “okay” because they don’t show the pain.

The Wider Impact: Fans, Sports & Music

Fans of both Yungblud and the NFL took to social media almost instantly. Many shared that they admired Kneeland’s energy – “a force on the field”, “a leader in the making” – and how sad it was to learn he was quietly suffering. Meanwhile, commenters pointed out how music and sports intersect: the idea that athletes and artists can be kindred spirits in their drive, in their visibility, and in their vulnerability.

Yungblud’s message quickly resonated: he urged his large audience of mostly younger fans to talk about feelings, to check in on their friends and heroes, and to remember that just because someone looks strong doesn’t mean they’re free from the fight.

What He Wants the World to Understand

To many people, Yungblud’s response is one of the most emotional and human reactions he has delivered publicly. It’s less about the spectacle of celebrity and more about the quiet horror of loss, and the even quieter fight to be seen.

He wants to make sure the world hears the following:

• Recognition that mental-health struggles do not discriminate. Not the rookie making a touchdown, not the rocker singing to millions.

• A reminder that success and smiles are not proof of peace. They can be the façade.

• An appeal: Ask someone how they’re really doing. And don’t stop at the first answer.

• Lastly, a communal call: We hold each other up or we fall apart.

Final Word

The death of Marshawn Kneeland is tragic and untimely. But through Yungblud’s response, it becomes a moment of reflection for both music and sport, for celebrities and fans alike. In his statement, Yungblud said:

“He gave so much, and he mattered. I promise I will try my best to keep that spirit alive — the spirit he showed, the spirit of young people everywhere who might feel like they have to hide their pain. We must do better. We can do better. Because we owe it to the ones we lose to fight even harder for the ones still here.”

And in the end, he left this plea:

“If you see someone smiling, don’t assume they’re okay. Ask them anyway. Sit with them. Stay with them. And let’s make sure the next story we tell isn’t one of another hidden battle lost in silence.”

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• EW.com
• The Guardian
• BILD