Cowboys' Marshawn Kneeland Remembered as Girlfriend Welcomes Their Newborn Son

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who tragically died by suicide on November 6, 2025, at just 24 years old, is being honored by his loved ones and the organization. In the wake of his passing, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced the creation of the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund to support Kneeland's girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, who was pregnant at the time. “We’re going to honor Marshawn, his family, a number of different ways,” Schottenheimer expressed. “The organization has been amazing. We want to make sure she’s taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives.”

Recently, Catalina Mancera celebrated the arrival of their baby boy, sharing her joy on Instagram. “My favorite gift from you [white heart emoji] June 11th, 2026,” she wrote, alongside photos that included their son dressed in a onesie featuring Kneeland's Cowboys jersey, with the baby's name, Makhai, embroidered on his blanket. Mancera also posted a touching video that captured the moment she revealed her pregnancy to Kneeland.

Just two nights before his untimely death, Kneeland scored his first NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt during a Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals. This significant achievement filled him with excitement, as noted by Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs in The New York Times. The day following his touchdown, Kneeland communicated with his college coach, Lou Esposito, expressing his eagerness to return to Michigan with “good news.”

A standout at Western Michigan, Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft (No. 56 overall). Over his two seasons with the team, he participated in 18 games, leaving a mark that will not be forgotten.