Marshawn Kneeland’s pregnant girlfriend issues heartbreaking plea to fans ahead of Cowboys’ first game since star’s tragic death
Marshawn Kneeland’s pregnant girlfriend has issued a desperate plea for ‘photos and memories’ of the former Dallas Cowboys star.
Kneeland died by apparent suicide at the age of 24 on November 6th, roughly 48 hours after he scored his first NFL touchdown for the Cowboys.
In the days that followed, Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, revealed that she was pregnant with his son and now she’s issued a heartbreaking plea to fans.
Taking to Facebook on Saturday, she said: ‘Hi everyone, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the love, prayers, and messages that have been sent my way. Your support has meant more to me than I can put into words during such a painful time.’
‘As I continue honoring Marshawn’s memory, I’m trying to gather as many photos and memories of him as possible. If you have any pictures of Marshawn whether they’re recent, old, funny, or meaningful.
‘I would truly appreciate it if you could share them with me,’ she continued. She added that ‘every photo helps me hold onto a piece of him and the beautiful impact he had on all of us.’
Marshawn Kneeland’s pregnant girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, has issued a desperate plea for ‘photos and memories’ of the former Cowboys star following his death earlier this month
Mancera took to Facebook in search of more pictures of the Cowboys defensive end
‘Thank you again for your kindness, your prayers, and for keeping my sweet baby in your hearts,’ she wrote. ‘It brings me comfort knowing how deeply he was loved.’
The Cowboys are set to play their first game since Kneeland’s death on Monday night, when they face the Las Vegas Raiders.
It was Catalina who warned cops that Kneeland had a gun and that she feared he would kill himself after he refused to pull over over a traffic violation in Frisco, Texas.
The NFL star sent his family a group text saying ‘goodbye’ during the drama involving Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, according to a police audio dispatch.
Cops lost sight of Kneeland, who then crashed his car into a pick-up truck and fled on foot. Officers found his body in a port-a-potty in the early hours of November 6.
Last week, Mancera, 22, spoke to the Daily Mail of her raw agony in the wake of Kneeland’s shocking death.
‘It’s too much,’ said Mancera, who was seen leaving the apartment building in Plano, Texas where the defensive end had lived before his death.
‘I’m grieving hard right now. It will be a long time before I’ll feel ready to talk at any length.’
She added: ‘We’re still in the early stages of everything. We are working on the funeral arrangements. I don’t know where it’s going to be yet.’
Kneeland’s tragic death at the age of 24 on November 6th sent shockwaves across the NFL
Mancera mourned Kneeland’s loss in a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook last week
Mancera began dating the NFL star when he was at Western Michigan University in her native Kalamazoo, his cousin Nicole Kneeland-Woods told the Daily Mail. He is from nearby Grand Rapids.
‘Marshawn shared a very special relationship with Catalina, whom he had been with since his sophomore year of college,’ she said. ‘They supported each other through many stages of life. Catalina is an important part of our family and she’s hurting deeply too.’
Mancera recently founded SZN Stitches, which produces custom game day apparel. Several of its featured designs include Kneeland’s name, photo and his No 94.
Relatives who have spoken with the Daily Mail have contradicted the assertion – attributed to Catalina in police audio – that Kneeland was suffering from mental health issues.
