Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed Wednesday that, just a week after Marshawn Kneeland’s apparent suicide, the late 24-year-old defensive lineman’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, is expecting their first child.
Speaking publicly Wednesday for the first time since Kneeland died on November 6 of an apparent gunshot wound after a police pursuit, Schottenheimer revealed Mancera is carrying their child.
“We’re going to honor Marshawn and his family in a number of different ways. The organization has been amazing. 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,” Schottenheimer said.
Schottenheimer added that he and his players are still grieving Kneeland, sharing moments of laughter and tears as they cope with his loss.
“There’s no playbook, there’s really not. So that’s where the late nights come in, but the biggest thing for me is being strong for our football team,” Schottenheimer said.
“We’ve got an incredible locker room, that’s where the culture of what we’re trying to build. We are bonded more than any of us ever could have thought.”
More to come…
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
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