Marshawn Kneeland’s Girlfriend Expecting Child After His Death
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer shared on Wednesday that Catalina Mancera, the girlfriend of the late Marshawn Kneeland, is expecting a child.
Following Kneeland’s tragic death by suicide at 24 last Thursday, the team set up the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund to provide support for Mancera and her baby.
“She’s pregnant, and we want to ensure that she and the baby receive care for a lifetime,” Schottenheimer informed reporters. “It’s really important for our players and for us as well.”
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, officers tried to pull Kneeland over for a traffic violation, but he fled. After a brief pursuit, his vehicle was found abandoned and crashed. Tragically, Kneeland was later discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a portable toilet, as reported by DPS.
Police audio revealed that Mancera informed officers that Kneeland was armed and had a history of mental health issues. She mentioned that his family was concerned about his state, fearing he might “end it all.”
“I’m incredibly saddened right now. It’s going to take a while before I can talk extensively about everything,” Mancera shared with the Daily Mail on Monday. “We’re in the early stages, figuring out funeral arrangements, although we’re not sure where that will happen yet.”
Just days prior, Kneeland had made headlines for scoring a touchdown on a blocked punt during a Monday Night Football game against the Cardinals.
Schottenheimer expressed that they had a chance to celebrate Kneeland’s life together, sharing stories, laughter, and tears. “Marshawn loved the phrase ‘one love,’ so we discussed love a lot while grieving. It was important to share what we’ll miss about him,” he remarked.
“He had the funniest spirit of any young man I’ve ever known. His smile could really light up a room. As an athlete, I don’t think anyone matched his athleticism. My heart is heavy—and all our hearts are heavy. We’re not just moving on, but we’re moving forward.”
The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 draft.
After their game against the Cardinals, the Cowboys, who had a bye week, are set to face the Raiders this Monday. They’ll also wear a decal on their helmets to honor Kneeland.
If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges, please reach out for help by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org for free and confidential support.
