safety
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death
By JIM VERTUNO, Associated Press at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News
· July 7, 2026
· 1 min read
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated head trauma, his family announced Tuesday. The Boston Uni...
Key takeaway The Boston University CTE Center, which investigates the long-term consequences of repetitive brain [...
Why this matters in Westlake News
The revelation that former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy at the time of his death raises concerns about the long-term health consequences of playing contact sports in West Lake Hills and the broader Austin area. As local youth participate in football and other high-impact activities, the risk of head trauma and potential brain abnormalities becomes a pressing issue for families, coaches, and schools to consider. The fact that Kneeland's condition was identified by a reputable research center like the Boston University CTE Center underscores the need for local medical professionals and athletic organizations to be aware of the warning signs and take proactive steps to prevent and diagnose CTE. This incident may prompt local schools and sports leagues to reexamine their concussion protocols and safety measures to protect young athletes from the potential risks associated with repeated head trauma.
About this story
Original reporting by KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News . Westlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated head trauma, his family announced Tuesday. The Boston Uni...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News and curated for Westlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JIM VERTUNO, Associated Press at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News. To learn more about how Westlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Westlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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