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Marshawn Kneeland, who appeared in 18 games with the Dallas Cowboys since his rookie NFL season in 2024, has died at the age of 24, but 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 that she and the baby are taken care of for the rest of their lives,” Schottenheimer told reporters during her media availability. “Our boys, it’s very important for them and for us.”
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Marshawn Kneeland (94) of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the sideline during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Schottenheimer also revealed that the team launched a memorial fund in honor of Kneeland and supporting Catalina. Dallas’ first-year head coach also recalled some of the memories he shared with the former NFL player.
“Marshawn loved the words ‘one love,'” Schottenheimer explained. “So we talk a lot about love while we cry.”
FOOTBALL COMMUNITY REACTS TO DEATH OF COWBOYS DEFENSIVE FINISH MARSHAWN KNEELAND: ‘GONE TOO SOON’
Schottenheimer noted that he will remember Kneeland as being one of “the most playful spirits of any young man I have ever known.”
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer watches before the game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on October 19, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Image Images)
“His smile could make you fall to your knees,” the coach said. “And in terms of him as an athlete, no one had a better motor than him. That’s why my heart is heavy.”
Schottenheimer added: “The hearts of our team are heavy. We are not moving forward, but we are moving forward.”
Mancera recently shared a message about the heartbreaking loss. “My sweet baby, words could never express how broken I feel,” she wrote in a social media post. “You are my everything. I will love you forever my beautiful angel.”
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) is on the field after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on August 16, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Image Images)
Frisco police said the defensive lineman died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities responded after a driver reportedly evaded police during a chase. Responding officers found a crashed vehicle near the southbound lanes of a local parkway. Kneeland fled on foot, police reported.
Authorities also stated that Kneeland contacted his family via text message before his death to say goodbye, police told dispatchers, according to audio obtained and reviewed by People. The investigation is ongoing.
Shortly after the tragedy, the Cowboys issued a statement:
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said in a statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He recorded the first sack of his professional football career in a season-opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cowboys coach says girlfriend of late NFL player Marshawn Kneeland is pregnant, team launches memorial fund
