Godwin Heights — Marshawn Kneeland never forgot his roots, staying connected to his community even after reaching the NFL, said Brandon Kimble, his former high school football coach.
“He would help with our youth football program and when possible, he would be around during practice and games, just hanging out and being with the players,” said Kimble, Godwin Heights athletic director. “He even would get online with some of our esports players and play with them.”
The Godwin Heights alum died by suicide in 2025 and was later diagnosed as having the degenerative brain disease stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.
Kneeland’s impact on the school is being remembered through a mural in the football locker room, donated by the Dallas Cowboys and the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation. The Jones family owns the Cowboys franchise.
The mural features the words “one love,” a phrase Kneeland often used to express that “we were all in this together,” Kimble said. Each letter includes photos of Kneeland at different stages of his football career: at Godwin Heights, Western Michigan University and with the Cowboys. Three helmets — one representing each team — also are displayed on the wall.
Kimble said the mural was placed in the locker room both because it is a secure location and because it serves as a reminder to student-athletes that they, too, can pursue their dreams.
“(Kneeland) was the first student from our school to receive a football scholarship to a (NCAA) Division I team and then he went on to play for the NFL,” he said. “We have since had several students earn football scholarships.
“This is to let students know that this can happen to them too and they can achieve their dreams and their goals.”
The mural also has helped open up conversations about mental health among staff members and players, Kimble said.
The Cowboys and the Jones Foundation also donated new helmets to the varsity football team, along with stickers featuring the Cowboys logo and Kneeland’s No. 94 for both the junior varsity and varsity teams.
Kneeland played linebacker and tight end at Godwin Heights and graduated in 2019.
Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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