TIME CHANGE: Due to honoring Marshawn Kneeland with a moment of silence and unity, the NFL has officially adjusted the kickoff time for the Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles matchup.
GREEN BAY, Wis. – As the NFL grapples with the unimaginable grief over the sudden death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, the league has made a heartfelt adjustment to its marquee Week 10 matchup. The Green Bay Packers’ Monday Night Football clash with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field, originally set for an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff on November 10, will now begin at 7:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. This one-hour shift allows for an extended pre-game ceremony, including a league-wide moment of silence and unity to honor the 24-year-old phenom whose life was cut short just days after his first NFL touchdown.
Kneeland’s passing early Thursday morning in Frisco, Texas – ruled an apparent suicide following a police pursuit – has left the football world in collective mourning. The second-round pick out of Western Michigan University had electrified fans with a blocked punt return for a score in Dallas’ 27-17 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football, a moment that now feels heartbreakingly prophetic. Authorities detailed that a welfare check around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday escalated into a chase, ending with Kneeland crashing his vehicle, fleeing on foot, and being found deceased inside a portable restroom at 1:31 a.m. The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office is finalizing the report, but the tragedy has ignited urgent conversations about mental health in the high-stakes arena of professional sports.
The Packers-Eagles game, a playoff rematch from last season where Philadelphia ousted Green Bay in the Wild Card round en route to their Super Bowl triumph, carries extra emotional freight this time around. Both teams boast powerhouse records – the Eagles at 6-2, leading the NFC East with a suffocating defense allowing just 336.3 yards per game, and the Packers at 5-2-1, clinging to first place in the NFC North despite a recent 16-13 stumble against the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Jordan Love, seeking revenge under the Lambeau lights, will face off against Jalen Hurts and a Eagles squad that’s won six of its last seven, including a dominant 34-20 rout of the New York Giants last Sunday.
But before the first snap, Lambeau Field will fall silent. Players from both sides, donning helmets with No. 94 decals in Kneeland’s memory, will join fans in a moment of reflection, echoing the tribute held before Thursday’s Broncos-Raiders tilt where a black-and-white image of the late defender loomed large on the jumbotron. “This isn’t just about football; it’s about the human spirit we all share,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday during a somber practice session, his voice cracking as he recalled Kneeland’s infectious energy from joint practices two offseasons ago. “Marshawn was a warrior – overcoming so much, lighting up rooms with that smile. We’re playing for him Monday.”
The adjustment aligns with the NFL’s broader response to the crisis. Counseling resources have been extended to the Cowboys, who remain on bye and issued a raw statement: “Our hearts are shattered… Marshawn was more than a teammate; he was family.” Tributes poured in from across the league, including from former Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons – now with the Packers after a blockbuster August trade – who broke down on Instagram: “Rest easy, brother. You fought like hell, and we’ll carry that fire forward.” Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, known for his fiery play, added: “One of us. Gone too soon. Philly stands with Dallas – and with every player fighting silent battles.”
Kneeland’s story resonated deeply in the Midwest, where the Grand Rapids native rose from adversity – including the recent loss of his mother, whose ashes he carried in a necklace on draft night – to become a second-team All-MAC honoree at Western Michigan with 57 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2023. His high-motor style and leadership drew comparisons to the gritty defenders both Green Bay and Philadelphia covet. “He visited our facility pre-draft; you could see the hunger,” Packers DC Joe Barry reflected. “A special kid who poured everything into this game.”
For fans braving the November chill at Lambeau – where temperatures are forecast to dip into the low 30s under crisp skies – the evening promises a blend of reverence and resolve. Tailgates will feature green-and-gold clad supporters hoisting signs reading “Roar for 94,” while Eagles faithful chant “Fly for Marshawn” in solidarity. Broadcast teams on ABC and ESPN have pledged to weave mental health resources throughout coverage, directing viewers to the NFL Player Care Foundation and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
As the Pack prepares to unleash its dynamic offense – averaging 360.4 yards per game – against Philly’s vaunted front seven, the focus sharpens on legacy over leaderboard. “We play with purpose,” LaFleur emphasized. “For the city, for the team, for the brotherhood – and tonight, for Marshawn.” In a season already defined by twists, this Monday Night at Lambeau becomes a testament to unity amid heartbreak, reminding all that behind every highlight reel lies a story worth cherishing.
Check NFL.com for final broadcast details and injury updates – key absences include Packers TE Tucker Kraft (torn ACL) and Eagles EDGE Josh Sweat (questionable, ankle). For mental health support, reach out today; tomorrow’s too late.
