The Dallas Cowboys have announced a fundraising campaign to support Catalina Mancera, girlfriend of the late Marshawn Kneeland, who is pregnant with the former NFL star’s child. This news emerged during a press conference held on November 12, 2025.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed Mancera’s pregnancy and the team’s initiative. He shared that the team had recently gathered to celebrate Kneeland’s life, recounting anecdotes and sharing moments of laughter and grief.
“Marshawn loved the words ‘one love’,” Schottenheimer stated. “So we talked a lot about love, as we mourn his loss.”
Kneeland tragically passed away at age 24 on November 6, 2025. His death was officially announced by the Cowboys on the same day.
The team expressed profound sadness in a statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
Authorities revealed Kneeland died by suicide in the early morning hours of November 6, 2025. This occurred after he crashed his car during a police pursuit, according to the Frisco Police Department.
Mancera had called 911 on November 5, 2025, attempting to get help for Kneeland. An audio recording obtained by TMZ Sports captured a 911 operator discussing the situation.
“We are speaking with his girlfriend,” the operator said. “She is trying to call his agent. We are trying to get her to call him first.”
Mancera also informed authorities that Kneeland had a “history of mental illness.”
Days after Kneeland’s death, Mancera spoke to the Daily Mail in November 2025. She described experiencing “deep grief” and stated it would be a long time before she was ready to speak further.
She also mentioned working on funeral arrangements at the time. “We are working on funeral arrangements,” she said. “I don’t know where it will be yet.”
Kneeland and Mancera maintained a largely private relationship. However, she often left supportive comments on his Instagram posts.
On a June post featuring Cowboys training camp photos, Mancera commented, “That’s my man.” Kneeland had captioned the carousel, “There’s no shame in being weak. The shame is in staying weak.”
In May, after Kneeland shared photos of his mother, Wendy, who died in February 2024, Mancera wrote, “You know she would be so proud of everything you’ve accomplished so far, bby.”
She also showed affection on a January post highlighting his NFL rookie season, writing, “Mhmm, my man is so handsome.”
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