Marshawn Kneeland, a defensive end for the Cowboys, has welcomed a child with his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, following a tragic event last November when he died by suicide.
Mancera shared on Instagram that their son, Makai, was born on June 11. In her post, she included a photo of the little one in a Dallas Cowboys jersey designed by Kneeland, captioning it, “My favorite gift from you 🤍.”
One of the posts featured a video of Kneeland reacting to a positive pregnancy test, illustrating a moment of joy that feels bittersweet now.
Mancera had earlier mentioned her due date on social media, leading up to the arrival of their child this June.
Kneeland had been drafted by the Cowboys as the 56th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sadly, he died by suicide last November after a police chase near the Dallas Parkway, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Frisco police reported that Kneeland was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and that he had expressed suicidal thoughts during the pursuit. Furthermore, a 911 call indicated that Mancera had received concerning messages from him and was attempting to contact someone for help.
The incident unfolded just two days after Kneeland participated in a game against the Cardinals, where he played 17 snaps.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, support is available. You can reach out by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org for confidential assistance.
