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How the Dallas Cowboys Came Together After the Death of Marshawn Kneeland
Marshawn Kneeland’s legacy will live on.
Less than a week after the Dallas Cowboys player died by an apparent suicide at the age of 24, the NFL team’s head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that his girlfriend Catalina Mancera is expecting a baby with the late defensive end.
“[Catalina is] pregnant and so we want to make sure she is taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives,” Schottenheimer shared during a Nov. 12 press conference. “Our guys—it’s very important to them and to us.”
As such, the team set up the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund, with Schottenheimer adding it was “where we can all give and support Catalina.”
The coach also took a moment to remember Kneeland, detailing the team’s gathering to celebrate his life.
“Marshawn loved the words ‘one love,’” he explained. “So we talked a lot about love as we grieve.”
Schottenheimer also revealed what he would miss most about Kneeland, emphasizing how the player had “the most playful spirit of any young man I've been around.”
“His smile could take you to your knees,” he recounted. “And in terms of him as an athlete, no one had a better motor than him. So my heart is heavy.”
Catalina Mancera/Facebook
“Our team's heart is heavy,” Schottenheimer continued. “We don't move on, but we do move forward.”
Just days before Schottenheimer confirmed her pregnancy, Mancera broke her silence on the devastating loss in a brief Nov. 10 message.
“My sweet baby, words could never express how broken I feel,” she wrote on Facebook alongside a photo of her and Kneeland. “You’re my everything. I’ll love you forever my beautiful angel.”
Kneeland’s body was found early in the day on Nov. 6, shortly after he crashed his car during a pursuit with Texas police on the night of Nov. 5. He then fled the scene on foot, according to a press release by local authorities.
Perry Knotts/Getty Images
Authorities also shared that before his death, he’d reached out to his family through text to say goodbye, police told dispatchers, according to audio reviewed by People, adding, “They're concerned for his welfare."
Hours after the tragedy, Kneeland’s family issued a statement saying they were “still processing the depth of our grief.”
“As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field—as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend,” the Facebook statement read. “His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.”
For a look back at Kneeland’s life, keep reading.
Marshawn Kneeland/Instagram
Promising Talent
Marshawn Kneeland's football career started long before his time at the NFL.
During his senior year of high school in Michigan, Marshawn achieved an impressive 110 tackles and eight sacks on defense as well as 20 receptions for 330 yards and five touchdowns on offense.
Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A Rising Star
After graduating, Marshawn committed to Western Michigan University, where he achieved 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks across his four years.
Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A Standout Player
During his time at the school, the athlete's work ethic helped him stand out, going to the team's facilities as often as he could to train and watch game footage.
As his coach David Denham put it, "That's when you started to see the gradual separation between him and some of the other guys."
Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Reaching New Heights
Marshawn was the Dallas Cowboys' second-round pick in 2024, the team owner Jerry Jones telling him at the time, "Marshawn, we're gonna put a star on that helmet."
For the young athlete, he tried to soak up every moment. "It's a once in a lifetime experience for me," he said of draft night, "so I'm just excited to be here."
Brooke Sutton/Getty Images
Preparing for the Big Leagues
Marshawn's work ethic stuck with him as he transitioned into the NFL, preparing for his first season with the team.
Ric Tapia/Getty Images
The Next Chapter
As for how he was approaching the NFL, Marshawn just wanted to stick to his game plan.
"I'm going to be the same type of player I've always been," he said after being drafted. "Physical, fast, high-fitness, high-effort, high-motor. It's basically going to come down to making plays."
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Putting in the Work
Throughout his almost two seasons on the Texas team, the 24-year-old amassed 26 tackles and one sack across 18 games, including four starts.
Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Milestone Achievement
Just days before his death, Marshawn scored his first touchdown in the league.
As his agent Jonathan Perzley said of the player following his death, "Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.”
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