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Marshawn Kneeland Death: Greg Ellis is being praised for his openness. He could have kept his feelings private. Instead, he chose to share his regret over losing touch with Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who tragically died this week in an apparent suicide.
Ellis, who played 11 seasons with the Cowboys, returned in 2024 as an assistant defensive line coach.
He had pushed for the team to draft Kneeland in the second round, seeing much of himself in the young player. Now, Ellis says he wishes he had stayed closer to his former student.
“I should have recognized the signs,” Ellis told Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. “There were times when he’d pull away and go quiet. I’d ask him what was wrong, but he’d always say, ‘I’m good, Coach. I’m fine.’”
“Looking back now, I realize there were clues,” Ellis said. “I just didn’t think it would come to this. I felt I should have stayed in touch with him more. That’s something I wish I had done better.”
Ellis’s stint with the Cowboys ended after the 2024 season. Since then, he’s been haunted by the feeling that he didn’t do enough to stay connected.
“I wish he had reached out,” Ellis said quietly. “But it’s that old saying — out of sight, out of mind. I should have been the one to call.”
He remembered their last talk happening over text. “I should’ve kept checking in,” he admitted. “Just a simple message every now and then.
Maybe that would’ve opened the door for him to say, ‘Hey G, let’s grab a bite to eat.’ It didn’t have to be about football. I just didn’t follow through.”
Ellis isn’t at fault. The Cowboys moved on, and so did he. But his decision to speak openly about his feelings could make a real difference for others.
The takeaway is simple. Check in on the people you care about — your family, friends, and coworkers. Notice when something feels off.
Listen to them. Offer support when you can. And if you think they need more help, encourage them to reach out for it.
We’re all dealing with stress in our own ways. No one’s life is completely problem-free, and even the hardest times can pass.
A few kind words, shared at the right moment, can sometimes keep someone from making a tragic and irreversible choice.
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