The girlfriend of late NFL player Marshawn Kneeland sends a thank you message after the baby shower
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Catalina Mancera thanked supporters in an emotional message as she celebrated the unborn child she shares with Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
In November, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Frisco Police Department confirmed that Kneeland died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a chase with police in Texas. The 24-year-old recorded his first NFL touchdown just days before his death.
Mancera recently had a baby shower attended by friends and family. She shared photos of the special event on Monday on Instagram, writing, “Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the people God has placed in my life. In this difficult time, the love and support around me made everything a little brighter.”
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Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland walks on the field during the team’s practice at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, Calif., on July 25, 2024. (Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire)
He went on to express his heartfelt thanks to friends and family, crediting their love and prayers for helping carry him through this difficult time.
“Thank you so much to everyone who came out to celebrate me and the baby, even those who didn’t make it but showed love from afar. I also thank my family for throwing me such a beautiful shower in Michigan. I would like to thank both of our families for all the love that has been showered on me during this time. I will never forget the kindness, the prayers that I have received on Instagram and all the support that has been completed.”
COWBOYS WORSHIP RAIDERS AFTER HONORING MARSHAWN KNEELAND IN FIRST GAME SINCE DEATH OF LINEBACKER.
Earlier, Mancera said that his last day is in June.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland walks off the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2024. (Photos by Tim Heitman/Imagn)
Kneeland was a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and appeared in 18 games for Dallas.
Police say officers responded to the scene on Nov. 6. 2025, they found a wrecked car near the southbound lanes of the local road. Kneeland fled on foot.
Authorities also said Kneeland texted his family before his death to say goodbye, police told dispatchers, according to audio obtained and reviewed by People.
Marshawn Kneeland #94 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes a passer during an NFL game against the New York Giants at AT&T Field in Arlington, Texas, on September 14, 2025. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Shortly after the tragedy, the Cowboys released a statement, saying, “It is with great sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a dear teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers for Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
Last year, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said a scholarship fund was opened for Kneeland’s daughter.
“We want to make sure that you’re taken care of and the child is taken care of for the rest of their lives — it’s very important to our boys and to us,” Schottenheimer said. “The organization has been amazing, we have started the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund where we can all donate and support Catalina.”
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Schottenheimer also revealed that the team has launched a memorial fund to honor Kneeland and support Catalina. Schottenheimer also recalled some of the memories he shared with the late bus driver.
“Marshawn loved the words ‘one love,'” explained Schottenheimer. “So, we talked as much about love as we were in grief.”
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