Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons honored a former teammate and friend before kickoff of the Packers’ Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football.”
Before the contest, Parsons was spotted kneeling on the field to honor his former Dallas Cowboys teammate Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide on Thursday, Nov. 6. He was just 24 years old.
Before the game, Lambeau Field held a moment of silence to pay tribute to Kneeland’s life. During the emotional moment, Parsons was easy to see on the field, on both knees, looking deep in prayer with his head hanging down and his eyes closed.
Parsons played with Kneeland on the Cowboys in 2024, his first season in the NFL.
Even though Parsons is a Packer now, he’s only a few months removed from his time in Dallas. In August, the Cowboys traded the star edge-rusher to the Packers, with Green Bay signing Parsons a massive four-year, $188 million dollar extension. In turn, the Dallas Cowboys picked up two first round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Micah Parsons Reacts to Tragic Death of 24-Year-Old Ex-Cowboys Teammate
On Thursday, reporters asked Parsons about Kneeland’s death. He responded that he was surprised and devistated by the news.
“I was extremely shocked. I was extremely hurt by the news,” he said. “I just got to pray he finds his peace and what he was looking for; how he felt in that moment, you just really don’t know.
“We should all just use this time to stay prayed up … praying for your loved ones, praying that people find peace. Life’s just so short, so we should really just start appreciating a little bit more and just loving people right and being purposeful with our intent and how we treat people and how we accept people.”
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Parsons also said that he and Kneeland shared a strong mutual respect. They were both defensive ends, so it makes sense.
“He always showed me nothing but respect from the moment he came into the locker room,” he said. “He respected me as a player; he respected me as a person. So, I have nothing but high respect for him.”
Parsons even pledged to help Kneeland’s family and loved ones.
“If there’s anything his family needs, I’ll be the first person to help or offer anything I can do. I just hope that he finds his peace and his family finds peace in the situation.”
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