Ryan Flournoy paused to acknowledge Marshawn Kneeland as the clock wound down on Monday night.
Flournoy moved along the Dallas Cowboys’ sideline at Allegiant Stadium, heading toward Kneeland’s white No. 94 jersey. It had been placed behind them throughout their 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He picked it up and displayed it to the crowd, remembering his former teammate in their first game since his passing earlier this month.
Kneeland passed away on Nov. 6 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 24 years old.
Flournoy’s gesture was one of the ways the Cowboys chose to honor Kneeland on Monday night.
They each had special No. 94 decals on their helmets, which will remain for the rest of the season. During pregame warmups, they also wore special blue Kneeland T-shirts featuring his face. The Raiders held a pregame tribute, and wore special shirts with “988” written on the back — a reference to the suicide and crisis lifeline.
Cowboys defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa located Kneeland’s jersey and carried it off the field to the locker room after the win. He held it up high before entering the tunnel.
The Cowboys are planning similar tributes next week when they host the Philadelphia Eagles, in their first home game since Kneeland’s passing.
“There are many discussions, and it’s about being vulnerable,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt after the game. “It’s not about being weak, but it’s about being vulnerable. To show courage, you have to reveal a weakness, or something to overcome.”
