In a heartfelt update that blends profound grief with a glimmer of hope, the girlfriend of late Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland has shared news about her pregnancy. This personal revelation comes ten weeks after Kneeland's sudden and shocking death, offering a look into how his loved ones are navigating their loss.
An Emotional Update Amidst Grief
On Sunday, December 28, Catalina Mancera took to Instagram to share ultrasound images of her unborn child. The post confirmed she is continuing the pregnancy she and Marshawn Kneeland had planned together, with the baby due in June 2026. Her accompanying message poignantly captured the complex emotions of moving forward while honoring a lost love.
"My sweet baby, I dreamed of you long before I ever knew you," Mancera wrote. She spoke of the life and family she and Kneeland had imagined building. While expressing excitement for the future, her heartache was palpable. "I’m so excited for you, but my heart still aches. It aches for the moments I won’t get to share with him, and for the love I wish you could experience the way I did."
A Source of Purpose and Hope
Mancera described the pregnancy as a divine gift that has provided her with strength during the most difficult days. "I don't think time will ever make this easier, but I know God knew what my heart needed," she continued. "He blessed me with you when I needed you most. In the middle of all this, you gave me purpose, hope, and something to hold onto."
She concluded her emotional note with a promise to her child: "I promise to love you with everything I have for me and for your dad. I can't wait to meet you, to hold you, and to watch you grow. I love you already."
A Legacy Honored by the Cowboys
The news of the pregnancy first emerged shortly after the tragic passing of Marshawn Kneeland on November 6, 2025. His death came just days after he scored a touchdown for the Dallas Cowboys, leaving teammates, coaches, and fans worldwide in a state of shock and mourning.
The pregnancy was later publicly confirmed by Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer. During a statement, Schottenheimer also announced the creation of the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund, established to support Mancera and the couple's baby. "I'd like to take a few moments and offer my condolences to Marshawn's family, Catalina, his girlfriend," the coach said respectfully.
Previously, in the immediate aftermath of Kneeland's death, Mancera had shared a touching tribute, writing, "Your laugh will always be imprinted in my mind. I will carry your legacy as long as I'm still here." Her latest update shows a woman and a community finding a way to move forward, holding onto love and memory while embracing a new future.
