Kneeland's pregnant girlfriend navigates a somber new year, sharing raw grief and hope for their child after the Cowboys player's tragic passing.
FRISCO - It's a new year for the Dallas Cowboys, but it's not all happy.
The late Marshawn Kneeland’s grieving girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, recently posted on social media an emotional message about her pregnancy and life without her long-time boyfriend, who committed suicide in November 2025.
Mancera shared on her Instagram page a photo of her and Kneeland kissing while the sideline of a Cowboys game.
“I can’t believe I’m stepping into a new year you’ll never get to see,'' she wrote. "My heart isn’t ready for that.”
Earlier, she posted an ultrasound picture of the baby while revealing it is due in June 2026. ... the photo including a card that reads, “Baby Kneeland 2026.”
Marshawn Kneeland was only 24 and in the second year of his NFL career when he died on December 6 from a self-inflicted gunshot.
The evening before his death, the defensive end was seen speeding in his car, which drew the police’s attention.
Kneeland, who was taken in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft after having played college football for the University of Michigan, was considered a potential long-term starter by the Cowboys.
The defensive end played in seven games this season until his passing, which occurred days after he scored his only NFL touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer has spoken about how the Cowboys wish to continue to "support Catalina ... She's pregnant, and so we want to make sure she's taken care of and the baby's taken care of for the rest of their lives.
"Our guys, it's very important to them and to us," Schottenheimer said. "He's still part of the team."