Catalina Mancera and Marshawn Kneeland
Catalina Mancera and Marshawn Kneeland.
Marshawn Kneeland’s pregnant girlfriend Catalina Mancera spoke out for the second time about his death in a post shared on Nov. 15
In the post, Mancera asked people to send her "photos and memories" of the late Dallas Cowboys player
Kneeland died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Nov. 5 following a police chase, and news of Mancera's pregnancy broke on Nov. 12
Marshawn Kneeland’s pregnant girlfriend Catalina Mancera is gathering as many "memories" of the athlete as she can.
In the wake of the Dallas Cowboys defensive end's death earlier this month at age 24, Mancera, whose pregnancy was confirmed by Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, has spoken out twice since his death. The second time came in the form of a Facebook post shared Saturday, Nov. 15, in which she asked for help gathering photos of her late boyfriend.
“Hi everyone, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the love, prayers, and messages that have been sent my way,” Mancera began the post. "Your support has meant more to me than I can put into words during such a painful time.”
"As I continue honoring Marshawn’s memory, I’m trying to gather as many photos and memories of him as possible. If you have any pictures of Marshawn whether they’re recent, old, funny, or meaningful. I would truly appreciate it if you could share them with me,” she continued, adding that “every photo helps me hold onto a piece of him and the beautiful impact he had on all of us.”
Marshawn Kneeland #94 of the Dallas Cowboys prior to an NFL football game on December 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Marshawn Kneeland #94 of the Dallas Cowboys prior to an NFL football game on December 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Mancera concluded the post by once again expressing gratitude to those who have reached out in the days following his death.
"Thank you again for your kindness, your prayers, and for keeping my sweet baby in your hearts,” she wrote. “It brings me comfort knowing how deeply he was loved.”
The football player was in his second year with the Cowboys when he died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Nov. 5 after leading Texas DPS troopers on a chase just north of Dallas that Wednesday night, authorities said. Just two days earlier, he had scored his first NFL touchdown.
In the hours before his death, Mancera attempted to save Kneeland by alerting police to her concerns that he'd taken his own life and was armed with a gun. Police audio obtained by PEOPLE included a dispatcher saying: "We're talking to the girlfriend. She's trying to call his agent, but we're trying to get her to call him first, but she's saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness and her quote was, 'He will end it all.' "
The Cowboys announced Kneeland's death in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Nov. 6.
"It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away," the team said in the statement. "Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family."
Mancera broke her silence on Kneeland’s death several days later, on Nov. 10, writing in a Facebook post that she will love him "forever."
Marshawn Kneeland answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 28, 2024, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN.
Marshawn Kneeland answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 28, 2024, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN.
“My sweet baby, words could never express how broken I feel, you’re my everything,” she wrote alongside a selfie of the couple. “I’ll love you forever my beautiful angel 🤍.”
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It is unknown how long Kneeland and Mancera were together — the athlete kept his personal life largely private — but she has been sharing photos with the late NFL player since at least 2022, including several snapshots supporting him during his second year with the Cowboys.
Schottenheimer confirmed that Mancera is pregnant and expecting the couple's first baby during a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 12. He also shared that the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund had been created to financially support both the expectant mom and the baby.
"We want to make sure she's taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives," said Schottenheimer.