Amidst a week of mourning for defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, the Dallas Cowboys organization and the family of the late player have confirmed that Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, is pregnant.
The confirmation came on Wednesday from Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer during his first media availability since the tragic passing of Kneeland last week. The 24-year-old defensive end died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound after evading officers following a traffic stop.
Schottenheimer, while discussing the team’s ongoing grief and move to resume practice, announced the creation of the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund.
The fund has been established by Kneeland’s family and management team to provide long-term financial assistance to Mancera and their unborn child.
“There’s no playbook, there’s really not,” Schottenheimer said Wednesday regarding how the team is coping with the loss of their teammate. The coach went on to stress the team’s commitment to the family: “We’ve started a memorial fund to support Kneeland’s pregnant girlfriend and their unborn child, to make sure she’s taken care of and the baby’s taken care of for the rest of their lives.”
Mancera, who was Kneeland’s longtime girlfriend, was reportedly in contact with authorities before his death, expressing concern over his mental state. The confirmation of her pregnancy adds a layer of heartbreak and responsibility to a tragedy that has stunned the sports world.
The Cowboys have honored Kneeland in several ways, including holding a memorial candlelight vigil and announcing that players will wear decals on their helmets for the remainder of the season in his memory. The establishment of the fund marks a concrete step by the organization and his inner circle to ensure the player’s lasting legacy includes the care of his child.
Flip the pages for photos of Catalina Mancera showing support for Kneeland at Cowboys’ games.
