Marshawn Kneeland, who appeared in 18 games with the Dallas Cowboys during his 2024 NFL rookie season, has tragically passed away at the age of 24. Despite the heartbreaking news, there is new hope that the late defensive lineman’s legacy will live on.
On Wednesday, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed that Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, is expecting the couple’s child. “[Catalina is] pregnant and so we want to make sure she is taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives,” Schottenheimer told reporters during his media availability. “Our guys—it’s very important to them and to us.”
Schottenheimer also shared that the team has launched a memorial fund honoring Kneeland and supporting Catalina during this difficult time.
The first-year Dallas head coach reflected on some of the memories he shared with the former NFL player. “Marshawn loved the words ‘one love,’” Schottenheimer explained. “So we talked a lot about love as we grieve.”
He also noted, “I will remember Kneeland as one of the most playful spirits of any young man I’ve been around. His smile could take you to your knees,” the coach recounted. “And in terms of him as an athlete, no one had a better motor than him. So my heart is heavy.”
Schottenheimer added, “Our team’s heart is heavy. We don’t move on, but we do move forward.”
Catalina Mancera recently shared a heartfelt message about her loss. “My sweet baby, words could never express how broken I feel,” she wrote on social media. “You’re my everything. I’ll love you forever my beautiful angel.”
According to Frisco police, Kneeland died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities responded after a driver reportedly evaded police during a chase. Officers found a crashed vehicle near the southbound lanes of a local parkway, and Kneeland fled the scene on foot.
The investigation into his death remains ongoing.
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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/cowboys-coach-says-late-nfl-player-marshawn-kneelands-girlfriend-pregnant-team-launches-memorial-fund
