Dallas Cowboys Vow to Support Marshawn Kneeland’s Pregnant Girlfriend

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Marshawn Kneeland‘s team is rallying around his family. 

Following the death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end, who died by apparent suicide last week, head coach Brian Schottenheimer explained how the team will support his pregnant girlfriend, Catalina Mancera.

At a press conference on November 12th, the team announced the creation of the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund to support Catalina. She is expecting a child, and the fund is intended to provide for both her and the baby’s future well-being.

Schottenheimer stressed how much the players care, both about each other and the team’s success, and confirmed that the individual remains a valued member of the group.

While still mourning the loss of the 24-year-old player, the Cowboys’ coach discussed the support the team is receiving from grief counselors.

He explained it was taking time, especially since the team had a week off and players weren’t readily available. It involved a lot of phone calls and trying to figure things out remotely. He emphasized that they always perform better when they’re working together in person.

On Monday, we created a space for us to connect, share our thoughts, and talk things through. We also made support available to help people process their emotions.

As a huge fan, I remember Coach Schottenheimer always stressing the importance of team bonding, and he especially talked about how meaningful the November 11th memorial service was for everyone, honoring Kneeland and bringing us all closer together.

He said the memorial service was lovely, but understandably difficult. A few players shared their thoughts, and it meant a lot to Catalina, his girlfriend. The team really came out in force to support her, which was amazing.

Mancera also shared a touching message remembering Kneeland. On Facebook, she wrote on November 10th, alongside a photo of the two of them, ‘My sweet baby, I can’t even begin to explain how heartbroken I am. You mean the world to me. I’ll love you always, my beautiful angel.’

Police found Kneeland’s body on November 6th, after his car crashed the previous night during a chase. He ran from the vehicle before authorities arrived, according to a police statement.

For a look back at Kneeland’s life in photos, keep reading.

Marshawn Kneeland‘s football career started long before his time at the NFL.

While in high school in Michigan, Marshawn was a standout player, making 110 tackles and 8 sacks on defense. He also excelled on offense, with 20 catches for 330 yards and 5 touchdowns.

After finishing school, Marshawn went to Western Michigan University and played football for four years, finishing with 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks.

The athlete was known for his dedication during his time at school. He consistently spent extra time at the team’s facilities, both practicing and studying game films to improve his performance.

According to his coach, David Denham, that’s when he really began to stand out from the rest of the team.

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Marshawn in the second round of 2024, and team owner Jerry Jones famously told him, “We’re going to put a star on that helmet.”

The young athlete was determined to enjoy every second of the experience. “This is something I’ll never forget,” he explained about draft night, “and I’m just thrilled to be a part of it.”

Marshawn carried his strong work ethic with him when he joined the NFL and began preparing for his rookie season.

As for how he was approaching the NFL, Marshawn just wanted to stick to his game plan. 

After being drafted, the player said he plans to play the same way he always has: with a lot of energy, speed, and physicality. He believes success will depend on making good plays when the opportunity arises.

During his time with the Texas team, the 24-year-old player participated in 18 games, starting four of them. He finished with a total of 26 tackles and one sack.

Just days before his death, Marshawn scored his first touchdown in the league. 

As someone who’s observed countless athletes, I can tell you Marshawn was truly special. His agent, Jonathan Perzley, put it beautifully after his passing – Marshawn gave absolutely everything he had to the game. Every single play, every practice… he poured his heart and soul into it. Losing someone with that level of talent, combined with such a genuinely good spirit, is just heartbreaking, and honestly, words can barely express the loss.

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2025-11-14 22:48