Heartbreaking moment Marshawn Kneeland is drafted two months after his mom's death... as tributes flood in following his sudden death at 24: Live updates

It was just over a year ago when Kneeland was surrounded by his family and heard his name get called to join the best football players in the world.

Just months prior from this happy moment, Kneeland's world was rocked when his mother passed away. Kneeland then made a necklace with a small urn pendant containing his mother's ashes.

A relatively unheralded recruit out of high school, he blossomed into a star at Western Michigan and was set to be a key part of the Cowboys defense for years to come.

The Washington Commanders offered a tribute up to Kneeland on social media.

Per local reports, officers were dispatched to Kneeland's home before midnight for a welfare check and did not make contact with anyone inside.

The former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver reacted to the news on social media.

Teammate Kenneth Murray posted this on his Instagram story:

A similar message was posted by linebacker Damone Clark:

He praised Kneeland's work ethic and believed he was 'going to have a great career'.

That word means 'brother' in Samoan slang.

Pass catcher Ryan Flournoy:

Veteran Cowboys wideout KaVontae Turpin:

Ferguson was among the first to post the news to social media. Several Cowboys teammates followed.

According to local reports, police were dispatched to Kneeland's home just before midnight CT to conduct a welfare check. They were not able to make contact with anyone inside.

No further details about the incident have been released by the team or by local police.

Players from the Cowboys have begun posting tributes to their teammate after the shock announcement of Kneeland's passing.

The second-year defensive end's death was revealed by the team in the early hours of Thursday.