FRISCO, Texas — Marshawn Kneeland will be a part of the Dallas Cowboys’ organization forever, and the same is true of his girlfriend, Catalina, and the child they’re expecting. The loss of Kneeland over the bye week was devastating, and even that word feels as if it’s insufficient to describe the shockwaves his death sent throughout the locker room and entire organization, but also throughout the realm of mental health and those who struggle with it.
The week leading into their Week 11 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders has been one wrought with emotional turmoil as the coaches and players work to balance their grief with the reality of what’s to come: a gauntlet of games that will swiftly begin to determine the future of the season as early as Monday.
And that means the team must strike the balance of focusing on the task(s) at-hand while also keeping Kneeland attached to their thoughts and hearts while doing it, looking to honor him as teammates, friends, mentors and NFL players who often channel their pain into their play.
On Thursday, following their first practice after Kneeland’s passing, several spoke about what honoring Kneeland will mean to them when Monday arrives in Las Vegas.