Mancera posted photos from her baby shower on Instagram, offering followers a look at the blue-and-white celebration held in honor of “Baby Kneeland”
Credit: SZN.Stitches/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Catalina Mancera, the pregnant girlfriend of late Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland, shared photos from her baby shower on Instagram
- The celebration featured blue-and-white decor, “Baby Kneeland” cookies and loved ones supporting Mancera during what she called a “hard season”
- Kneeland died in November 2025 at age 24
Six months after the death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, his pregnant girlfriend Catalina Mancera is sharing a glimpse into a joyful milestone as she prepares to welcome their baby.
On Monday, May 11, Mancera posted photos from her baby shower on Instagram, offering followers a look at the blue-and-white celebration held in honor of “Baby Kneeland.”
The carousel included photos of Mancera wearing a floor-length white gown while showing off her baby bump, along with images of baby blue cookies decorated with the words “Baby Kneeland,” as well as snapshots with family and friends and photos of the shower’s decor.
View this post on Instagram
“Words can’t explain how thankful I am for the people God has placed in my life,” Mancera wrote in the caption. “In such a hard season, the love and support surrounding me has made everything feel a little brighter.”
“I’m so grateful for everyone who came out to celebrate me and baby, and even those who couldn’t make it but still showed love from afar,” she continued. “I also want to thank my family for throwing me such a beautiful shower in Michigan. I want to thank both of our families for all the love they’ve poured into me during this time. I’ll never forget the kindness, prayers, and support that have carried me through all of this 🤍”
Kneeland died on Nov. 5, 2025, at age 24. The Cowboys announced his death in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Nov. 6.
Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning," the team said in the statement. "Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family."
His agent, Jonathan Perzley, also confirmed the news in a statement shared by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, saying he was “shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night.”
Perzley said the second-year player died just 48 hours after a standout performance during the Cowboys’ Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals, during which Kneeland recovered a blocked punt in the second quarter and scored a touchdown.
Later that same day, PEOPLE reported that Kneeland died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after leading Texas DPS troopers on a chase north of Dallas, according to authorities.
Just one week after Kneeland’s death, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that Mancera was pregnant during a Nov. 12 press conference.
“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 during the press conference.
The organization also created the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund to financially support Mancera and the couple’s unborn child.
According to the fund’s website, “The Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund is dedicated to preserving Marshawn’s legacy and extending his impact through direct support for his surviving partner and unborn heir.”
Credit: Catalina Mancera and Marshawn Kneeland/Instagram
Though Kneeland largely kept his personal life private, Mancera had shared photos with the late NFL player on social media dating back to at least 2022, including several posts supporting him during his second season with the Cowboys.
In a Facebook post shared on Nov. 10 following his death, Mancera posted a photo of herself and Kneeland alongside a heartfelt tribute.
“my sweet baby, words could never express how broken I feel, you’re my everything. I’ll love you forever my beautiful angel,” she wrote, adding a white heart emoji.
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Credit: Catalina Mancera and Marshawn Kneeland/Instagram
On Nov. 15, Mancera shared another Facebook post thanking supporters while asking for help gathering photos of Kneeland.
“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,” she wrote. “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,” Mancera continued. “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.”
Credit: Catalina Mancera and Marshawn Kneeland/Instagram
“Every photo helps me hold onto a piece of him and the beautiful impact he had on all of us,” she added.
Mancera concluded the post by once again thanking those who had supported her following Kneeland’s death.
“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.”
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