He had just lived his dream — and then, heartbreakingly, his life was gone.

Marshawn Kneeland, the 24-year-old defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, scored his very first NFL touchdown on Monday night. Fans cheered as he recovered a blocked punt against the Arizona Cardinals, smiling ear to ear as teammates celebrated around him.

Just three days later, the Cowboys confirmed the devastating news: Marshawn had died unexpectedly. “He was a beloved teammate and member of our organization,” the team said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family.”

His agent, Jonathan Perzley, spoke through tears. “I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid to a respected professional,” he said. “He poured his heart into every snap. To lose someone with his spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.”

Tragically, this is not the first loss for the young athlete’s family. Last year, Marshawn lost his mother — the woman who first believed in his NFL dream. “She’s still with me,” he once said softly. “I carry her ashes everywhere I go.”

Now, fans everywhere are left with one haunting thought — how a rising star’s brightest moment came just before his light went out.