Seven months after the passing of former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, recently gave birth to their child.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer delivered an emotional message of support, assuring the family that they will always remain a part of the Cowboys community.

“We actually showed a picture of Makhai today. So congrats to Catalina,” Schottenheimer said during the press meeting during Cowboys minicamp on June 16, per the Dallas Cowboys YouTube Channel. "When you're part of our family, you're family for life. And so we want to make sure we do a great job of looking out for her and baby Makhai."

Schottenheimer met Mancera on June 6 at linebacker Demarvion Overshown’s wedding, highlighting the team’s close bond with their families.

The Cowboys have honored the former second-round pick in multiple ways since his tragic passing.

As Schottenheimer said in the press meeting, the Cowboys have installed a memorial in the players’ lounge for the late defensive end. The head coach noted it features a “big bright star” and the words “One Love,” honoring his legacy.

They also set up a "Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund” by Kneeland’s representation to honor his memory and to help Mancera and Kneeland's child.  

“We’re going to honor Marshawn, his family, a number of different ways,” Schottenheimer said, per DallasCowboys.com. “We’ve started the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund, where we can all give and support Catalina. She’s pregnant, and so we want to make sure she’s taken care of, and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives.”

The Cowboys also remembered him by carrying a flag with No. 94 [Kneeland's jersey number]on it before every game in 2025.

They had Kneeland's jersey on the sideline, along with wearing shirts with his face on them during warm-ups, before the Las Vegas Raiders game, the week following his passing, according to Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News.

For Schottenheimer, Kneeland's impact extended far beyond the field with his infectious personality. His legacy continues to live on through the Cowboys' efforts to support his family and preserve his memory within the franchise.

Catalina Mancera Announces Birth of Makhai Kneeland

Kneeland’s son, Makhai Kneeland, was born on June 11, 2026, after Kneeland’s tragic passing by s****** during mid-season (November 6) last year.

Mancera announced the birth of Makhai through her Instagram post on June 15, which included a picture of baby Makhai wearing a onesie with a woven image of Kneeland in his No. 94 jersey.

“My favorite gift from you [white heart emoji] June 11th, 2026,” Mancera's Instagram post caption read.

Catalina also included a video that showed her recording the positive pregnancy test and Kneeland's reaction to it months ago, capturing his happiness on hearing the news.

Share your thoughts on how Schottenheimer and the Cowboys continue to view Kneeland’s girlfriend and son as part of the Dallas family even after his passing.

Read more at Dallas Cowboys Community.

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar