Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed during a Wednesday news conference that Marshawn Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, is pregnant.
Kneeland died last week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 24 years old, days after the defensive end scored his first NFL touchdown on special teams on November 3.
Schottenheimer said a Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund has been established by Kneeland’s family and management team to support Catalina and the baby.
Kneeland began dating Mancera during his sophomore year at Western Michigan University. After the death of Kneeland’s mother, she bought him a stuffed bear that included a voice message from his mother from the previous Christmas.
Cowboys
Related
Mancera had recently founded SZN Stitches, a custom gameday apparel brand. Several of the company’s featured designs, modeled by Mancera, included Kneeland’s name, photo and jersey number.
Mancera was reportedly one of the last people Kneeland was in contact with.
Kneeland died following a police chase in Frisco, authorities said. The chase started shortly after 10:30 p.m. last Wednesday when troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Boulevard.
The driver, identified by officials as Kneeland, refused to stop, police said. In the midst of the chase that ensued, troopers reportedly lost sight of his vehicle.
According to Jerry Minton, a spokesman for the Plano Police Department, Plano officers responded about 11:30 p.m. to a “welfare concern” at Kneeland’s luxury apartment complex in the 6000 block of Columbus Avenue, but no one was home.
In an audio recording obtained by The Dallas Morning News, Mancera told police Kneeland was armed, had a history of mental illness and would “end it all.” Minutes before midnight, police said in the recording that they were on the phone with the NFL when they learned Kneeland had already texted his family goodbye.
Troopers later found Kneeland’s vehicle damaged and abandoned on a southbound lane of the Dallas North Tollway, officials said. With the help of police dogs and drones, Kneeland was found in the area about 1:30 a.m., dead of the self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Cowboys players plan on wearing a helmet decal to honor the passing of Kneeland, team officials said.
Players and coaches will also wear special T-shirts for the next two games, Monday night at Las Vegas and Nov. 23 against the Eagles, showing support for Kneeland.
The Cowboys will have a moment of silence and a video tribute for Kneeland at their next home game against the Eagles. Kneeland’s family members and girlfriend Catalina are scheduled to attend.
How to donate
Fans can donate to the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund by clicking on the link here.
Mental Health ResourcesThe Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line: Grant Halliburton Foundation initiative connects North Texans with mental health resources customized to each caller. 972-525-8181 or HereForTexas.com.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 24-hour crisis hotline at 800-273-8255. Confidential online chat is available at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.Crisis Text Line: To get 24-hour support, text “HOME” to 741741. More information at crisistextline.org.North Texas Behavioral Health Authority: 24-hour crisis hotline. 866-260-8000 or ntbha.org.Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas: Speak to a trained counselor on the 24-hour hotline at 214-828-1000, 800-273-8255 or sccenter.org.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.