Marshawn Kneeland: Late Dallas Cowboys star’s girlfriend is pregnant, head coach reveals
Just days after NFL star Marshawn Kneeland died, it has been revealed that his girlfriend is pregnant with their first baby.
The Dallas Cowboys defensive end was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound near his vehicle in Frisco, Texas, on November 6, three hours after he was involved in a police chase.
He was 24.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, is now facing the heartbreaking reality of raising a child on her own following the tragic incident.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the astonishing news in a press conference on Wednesday (local time), where he announced the football organisation has created the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund.
The fund is “dedicated to preserving Marshawn’s legacy and extending his impact through direct support for his surviving partner and unborn heir”.
“We want to make sure she’s taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives,” Schottenheimer said.
The news comes only a day after Ms Mancera broke her silence about Kneeland’s death on social media.
“My sweet baby, words could never express how broken I feel, you’re my everything. I’ll love you forever my beautiful angel.”
Kneeland died just two days after he scored his first NFL touchdown. He was in his second season with the Cowboys after being drafted from Western Michigan.
He played in 11 games as a rookie last season and seven games this season.
Schottenheimer said the Cowboys team came together on Tuesday to celebrate Kneeland’s life.
“Marshawn loved the words ‘one love’, so we talked a lot about love as we grieve. I got the chance to really share a couple of things that I’ll miss the most about Marshawn,” he said.
“Those top couple of things was he had the most playful spirit of any young man I’ve been around. His smile could take you to your knees.
“In terms of him as an athlete, no one had a better motor than him. My heart is heavy, our team’s heart is heavy. We don’t move on, but we do move forward.”
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
