Cris Collinsworth Draws Criticism for On-Air Comments About Marshawn Kneeland During Cowboys-Vikings Broadcast
Sunday Night Football is no stranger to big moments, but this week’s broadcast drew attention for all the wrong reasons. NBC color commentator Cris Collinsworth found himself at the center of controversy after repeatedly referencing the tragic death of Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland during the Cowboys’ matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Kneeland, a promising second-year player out of Western Michigan, died by suicide in November. The Cowboys organization publicly mourned his loss, calling him a “beloved teammate,” and honored him with a tribute on the jumbotron at AT&T Stadium. The team has been grieving both privately and publicly, and his death has understandably weighed heavily on the locker room.
But during Sunday’s telecast, Collinsworth’s handling of the topic struck a nerve with viewers. While discussing the Cowboys’ struggles this season, Collinsworth reportedly said, “You know the Cowboys have struggled a lot this year, Micah leaving, suicide on the team.” The phrasing-and the tone in which it was delivered-sparked immediate backlash on social media.
Fans took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration, with many criticizing the way Collinsworth brought up Kneeland’s death as if it were just another item on a list of team issues. One user wrote, “Collinsworth casually rattling off ‘suicide on the team’ like a sprained ankle.” Others questioned why the topic was mentioned multiple times during the broadcast, calling it unnecessary and insensitive.
Another post read, “Why has Cris Collinsworth mentioned Marshawn killing himself multiple times on the broadcast tonight?” The sentiment was echoed across dozens of fan reactions, with many feeling that the weight of the tragedy wasn’t handled with the care it deserved.
To be clear, there’s no question that Marshawn Kneeland’s death has had a profound impact on the Cowboys. This is a young man who had his whole career ahead of him, and his loss has left a hole in the team’s heart.
His girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, told police that Kneeland had a history of mental illness. According to authorities, he died after fleeing police during a traffic stop.
After a short pursuit, he exited his vehicle and took his own life on foot.
It’s a heartbreaking story-and one that deserves to be addressed with empathy and respect, especially on a national broadcast. While broadcasters often face the difficult task of discussing real-life tragedies in real time, the expectation is that they do so with sensitivity and awareness of the moment.
NBC has not issued a statement about the incident, and Collinsworth has yet to respond publicly. But the reaction from fans makes one thing clear: there’s a line between acknowledging a tragedy and mishandling it. For many, this felt like the latter.
Collinsworth, who has been a fixture in NFL broadcasting since the late 1980s and has called Sunday Night Football games since 2006, is no stranger to the spotlight. But this controversy adds a new layer of scrutiny to how broadcasters approach deeply personal and painful topics during live coverage.
As the NFL community continues to remember Marshawn Kneeland, the hope is that his story is told with the dignity and compassion it deserves-on and off the field.