The clip, which Pacheco has since confirmed and shared with investigators, could hold vital clues to understanding the mysterious circumstances surrounding Kneeland’s untimely passing. What began as a private moment between two friends has now become one of the most haunting stories in recent NFL history.

According to sources close to the Chiefs organization, Pacheco received the video late that night, shortly before news broke of Kneeland’s death. At first, he thought it was just another friendly message from a man he had come to respect both on and off the field.

The two players reportedly grew close during offseason training programs and charity events, often exchanging words of motivation before big games. But when Pacheco opened the video again the next morning, its tone felt different — chillingly final. In the short 45-second clip, Kneeland appeared calm but weary, smiling faintly into the camera before saying, “Bro, if anything happens… just tell them I tried.”

Pacheco described the moment he watched it as “a punch to the heart.” Speaking to local media after practice, the young running back said, “Marshawn was one of the toughest guys I knew. Always laughing, always pushing through. Seeing that message now — it hurts in a way words can’t explain.” His quiet honesty and grief have resonated deeply across the NFL, drawing an outpouring of emotion from players, coaches, and fans.

The Kansas City Chiefs immediately halted team activities following the revelation, giving players space to process the news. Head coach Andy Reid reportedly gathered the team for a moment of silence, as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Pacheco stood side by side at midfield, heads bowed. A navy blue Cowboys helmet with Kneeland’s number, 94, was placed at the center of the circle — a small but powerful gesture that transcended rivalry. “This league is a brotherhood,” Reid said afterward. “When one of us falls, we all feel it.”

Across social media, the phrase “Just tell them I tried” has exploded into a movement. Players from nearly every team have posted the words alongside photos of their jerseys, symbolizing solidarity and remembrance. Hashtags like #ForKneeland and #NFLFamily have trended for days, with fans sharing clips of his greatest plays and stories of his character. Even Chiefs fans, long-time rivals of the Cowboys, have filled comment sections with messages of love and support for Kneeland’s family.

NFL officials have confirmed that the video has been turned over to investigators, who are looking into both the context and timing of Kneeland’s final message. While authorities have not released an official cause of death, those close to him have described the defensive end as struggling with immense pressure, both on and off the field. “He was the kind of guy who carried everyone else’s weight,” one former teammate said. “Maybe this was his way of letting go — not in weakness, but in exhaustion.”

At Arrowhead Stadium, tributes continue to pour in. Fans have begun leaving flowers and candles at the team’s entrance, and the Chiefs have announced that they will honor Kneeland with a moment of silence before their next home game. Isiah Pacheco, who has not spoken publicly since the initial statement, is reportedly planning to attend the memorial service alongside other players. “He wanted to be there for Marshawn one last time,” a source close to Pacheco shared. “That’s the kind of friend he was — loyal, quiet, and real.”

As the NFL braces for another weekend of games, the weight of Marshawn Kneeland’s final words continues to echo far beyond the field. “Just tell them I tried” — six words that now define the heartbreaking reality faced by so many athletes behind the helmets and highlight reels. For Isiah Pacheco and countless others who called him a friend, those words will never fade. They serve as both a reminder and a mission — to listen closer, care deeper, and never take another moment for granted.

Marshawn Kneeland may be gone, but his final message has become a call to action for the entire NFL. And through the tears, the silence, and the heartbreak, his brother in the game, Isiah Pacheco, continues to honor that promise — to tell the world that Marshawn tried.