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 Stories
· 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 Barton Creek 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 contact sports in the Barton Creek community. As a suburb of Austin, Barton Creek is home to numerous youth sports leagues and teams, where young athletes may be exposed to similar risks of head trauma. The fact that Kneeland's condition was identified by the Boston University CTE Center highlights the need for local medical professionals and sports organizations to be aware of the potential risks and consequences of repetitive brain trauma. With many families in Barton Creek likely to have children participating in contact sports, the community should take notice of Kneeland's case and consider the potential implications for local youth athletes, prompting a closer look at safety protocols and support systems in place for young players.
About this story
Original reporting by KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories . Barton Creek 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 .
For the complete original report, visit KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories ·
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 Stories and curated for Barton Creek News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JIM VERTUNO, Associated Press at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories. To learn more about how Barton Creek News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Barton Creek News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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