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 tragically died by suicide on Thursday, Nov. 6. He was just 24 years old.

Lambeau Field held a moment of silence before the game to pay tribute to Kneeland’s life. During the emotional moment, Parsons was easily seen on the field, on both knees, looking deep in prayer with his head hanging down and his eyes closed.

Parsons played alongside Kneeland on the Cowboys during the 2024 season, his first year in the NFL. Although Parsons is now a Packer, he is only a few months removed from his time in Dallas. In August, the Cowboys traded the star edge-rusher to the Packers, who then signed Parsons to a massive four-year, $188 million extension. In return, Dallas received two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

When reporters asked Parsons about Kneeland’s death on Thursday, he expressed his shock and devastation. “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.”

Parsons also shared that he and Kneeland had a strong mutual respect for each other, which was natural given that they both played defensive end. “He always showed me nothing but respect from the moment he came into the locker room,” Parsons said. “He respected me as a player; he respected me as a person. So, I have nothing but high respect for him.”

Demonstrating his support beyond words, Parsons pledged to assist Kneeland’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. “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.”

This heartfelt tribute highlights the close bonds formed in the NFL and the importance of mental health awareness within the sports community.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/micah-parsons-honors-ex-cowboys-teammate-during-emotional-mnf-moment-11026291