Former Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, now with the Tennessee Titans, delivered an emotional tribute remembering former Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. 

During the Tennessee Titans' mandatory minicamp on June 17, 2026, Whitecotton wore a pin in Kneeland’s memory and revealed that he felt thankful to have met him in his life. 

"I miss Marshawn every day,” Whitecotton said, per X post of Mauricio Rodriguez. “I love him. I'm really thankful that we have his baby boy to carry on his legacy. Because Marshawn was a special guy, man."

Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, announced the birth of their baby boy, Makhai, on June 11, 2026, through her Instagram post. 

The child was born seven months after Kneeland’s death, who died on November 6 last year, during mid-season. 

“I’ll leave it at that, I miss him every day,” Whitecotton said, per Mauricio Rodriguez of A to Z Sports. “I know his family misses him every day. This world misses him every day. He was an amazing young man, like I said, I miss him, but so thankful that I got to meet him and be around him.” 

Whitecotton helped Kneeland score his first career touchdown by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone in the Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals in 2025.

He honored Kneeland by wearing his Jersey. 94 to the Los Angeles Raiders game, after two weeks of his passing, according to Raíz of Marca.com

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer also shared his support for the family while speaking at the Cowboys minicamp press conference on June 16.

“When you’re part of our family, you’re family for life," Schottenheimer said, per the Dallas Cowboys YouTube Channel. "And so we want to make sure we do a great job of looking out for her [Mancera], and baby Makhai."

He also revealed that the Cowboys have installed a tribute (marker) for Kneeland in the team's players' lounge. The marker says ‘One Love’ (with a) big, bright star', as that was one of Kneeland's favorite sayings, honoring his legacy.

As June marks Men's Mental Health Awareness month, Kneeland's former teammate Solomon Thomas also remembered him while sharing a powerful message about mental health in the NFL.

Solomon Thomas Remembers Marshawn Kneeland While Discussing Mental Health

Former Cowboys defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, during the Tennessee Titans minicamp on June 17, remembered Kneeland while emphasizing the need for mental health awareness in the NFL.

“Mental health is something that’s huge for me," Thomas said, per Titans Press Conferences YT Channel. “We’ve lost way too many people in the NFL to s******, especially this past year. I lost my teammate Marshawn Kneeland. May God rest his soul and be with Catalina.”

Thomas remembered the recent tragedies involving Kneeland, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore, and former LSU WR Kyren Lacy.

As someone who has lost his sister to the same thing, Thomas found solace in therapy and in being vulnerable about his struggles.

Thomas emphasized that therapy should be encouraged, and men in general should be willing to seek help if they are struggling emotionally.

“As men, it's important to understand we're emotional human beings, that we can cry, we can go get help, we can seek therapy, we can seek safe places with other men to talk about the struggles that we have going on.”

What do you think would be a good way to spread more awareness about it?

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan