Dallas Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland’s Girlfriend Is Expecting – Details

The NFL East franchise is reeling after the sudden loss of its defensive end, as those closest to him confront grief and a future forever changed. Teammates and staff are grappling with the shock of a young life cut short, leaning on one another for support.

Defensive end Marshawn Kneeland's sudden death has left the Dallas Cowboys and those closest to him reeling. The tragedy is made even more poignant as his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, is pregnant with their first child, intensifying the team's commitment to honor his memory and support his family.

In a deeply emotional press conference, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the tragedy, remembering Kneeland's radiant spirit and the heavy toll his absence has taken on the team.

Schottenheimer spoke from the heart, recalling an emotional night shared with players and staff — one filled with stories, tears, and aching laughter as they honored a young life cut tragically short. The late athlete's warm demeanor and unforgettable smile, Schottenheimer said, had left an indelible mark on the locker room.

Dallas Cowboys' head coach Brian Schottenheimer during the news conference, as seen from a video post dated November 12, 2025. | Source: YouTube/DallasCowboys

The Cowboys responded to the tragedy with more than words, taking a tangible step to support Kneeland's family. The team established the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund, a commitment designed to provide ongoing care for Mancera and her unborn child, ensuring that the deceased athlete's legacy lives on through the family he leaves behind.

On the importance of supporting them, the head coach said. "She's pregnant. And so we want to make sure she's taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives."

Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer, as seen from the video post dated November 12, 2025. | Source: YouTube/DallasCowboys

In the wake of the tragedy, the five-time Super Bowl champions have turned to one another, drawing comfort from shared meals, conversations, and quiet reflection, with a vigil placing Mancera at the heart of remembrance.

Schottenheimer acknowledged the healing process as ongoing and communal. The team has sought both professional guidance and a deep, brotherly connection to navigate their sorrow.

Mancera, who has remained largely out of the public spotlight, broke her silence in a Facebook post on November 10, 2025, sharing her heartbreak. Her quiet dignity has become a focal point for the team's resolve to protect her and the baby at all costs.

Planned tributes, including helmet decals and a permanent locker memorial, honor Kneeland's memory, but the memorial fund carries the most profound significance — a promise to safeguard the future he envisioned. As the Cowboys continue to grieve, they do so united by a vow — a vow that Mancera and her child will never face the future alone.

In the wake of Coach Schottenheimer's emotional address, we previously reported on the tragic night that changed the lives of everyone who knew the athlete.

Kneeland was discovered dead in the early hours of November 5, 2025 — the victim of what officials now confirm was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

What unfolded that night was a harrowing search involving law enforcement agencies, a frightened girlfriend, and a final, ominous message from Kneeland himself. And by the time the sun rose over Frisco, Texas, a promising young life had been lost.

Authorities said the terrifying ordeal began when Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers pursued a vehicle into Frisco at approximately 10:39 p.m.. Behind the wheel was Kneeland. In shocking dispatch audio from that night, Kneeland's girlfriend, Mancera, frantically tried to help after calling 911.

She revealed to dispatchers that the athlete was "armed" and had a history of mental illness. Mancera said she was contacting his agent, but was told to call Kneeland directly instead.

During the call, while pregnant, Mancera issued the most chilling warning that sent officers into overdrive. "He will end it all," she said. Moments later, a female dispatcher revealed Kneeland had sent a group text to loved ones, saying goodbye — a final act that sent his family and friends spiraling into panic.

While Kneeland's loved ones desperately hoped for the best outcome, officers on the ground were racing against time. The athlete's vehicle was found crashed along the southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway, but he was nowhere to be seen.

He had fled the wreck on foot, sparking a full-scale search effort involving K-9 units and drones. Then, something caught officers' attention — something that stopped them cold. A responder noted a portable toilet near a building had its door slightly ajar, and from it came a pool of red liquid. "Looks like the door's open. Red liquid coming out from [sic] it," the officer radioed in.

A heat signature confirmed someone was inside. Inside that portable toilet was the lifeless body of Kneeland. A responder described what they saw:

"He's going to be lying on his side facing inward and quite a bit of blood [sic] coming out."

Marshawn Kneeland runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 29, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

The National Football League (NFL) player was officially pronounced dead just after 1:30 a.m. The Collin County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the official cause and manner of death. The investigation remains open, with no additional details released.

The horrifying discovery has sent shockwaves through the sports world and left his family grieving an unimaginable loss.

Two days prior, Kneeland recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in a game against the Arizona Cardinals. One fan page of the football team shared a video of the play on their Instagram account, marking a standout moment in what was the early stage of his professional career.

Following the heartbreaking news of his death, his agent, Jonathan Perzley of Sportstars, Inc., issued a public statement on Instagram. He reflected on Kneeland's journey from a determined college athlete at Western Michigan University (WMU) to a respected player in the NFL, highlighting his work ethic, character, and impact on those around him.

Perzley also asked for privacy for Kneeland's family, teammates, and loved ones as they cope with the devastating loss.

The news also drew responses from WMU, where Kneeland played from 2019 to 2023. The athletic department described him as a key figure in the football program and a valued member of the campus community.

Kneeland earned a degree in Sports Management and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, following a strong final season and an appearance in the Reese's Senior Bowl.

Marshawn Kneeland takes part in National Team practice ahead of the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on February 1, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Head coach Lance Taylor, who led the Broncos during Kneeland's senior year, said the defensive end made a lasting impression in a short time. He said:

"Marshawn was so much more than an incredible football player—he was a remarkable young man who meant so much to our program and to me personally. His leadership, energy, and smile were infectious, and he left a lasting impact on everyone in our program."

Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae noted that while Kneeland's football ability helped him reach the NFL, it was his presence off the field — his respectful nature, enthusiasm, and relationships within the team — that defined his impact at Western Michigan.

A tribute to Marshawn Kneeland is displayed on the arena screen before the Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks game in Texas on November 6, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

As the Cowboys navigate the aftermath of Marshawn Kneeland's sudden death, they remain focused on honoring his memory and supporting his family. Through shared grief, reflection, and the memorial fund, the team has found a path forward rooted in unity and care, ensuring Kneeland's legacy lives on.