THE Dallas Cowboys have confirmed that Marshawn Kneeland’s girlfriend is pregnant.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer made the bittersweet announcement on Wednesday alongside the launch of a fund in support of her.
Schottenheimer revealed that the Dallas Cowboys have started the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund to support his girlfriend, Catalina, and their unborn child.
“She’s pregnant and we want to make sure she’s taken care of and the baby’s taken care of for the rest of their lives,” he said.
“Our guys, it’s very important to them and to us.”
The Cowboys launched a website, marshawnkneelandfund.org, where fans can donate to support Kneeland’s family.
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Alongside that announcement, the Cowboys head coach shared a statement about his player.
“First, I’d just like to offer my condolences to Marshawn’s family,” Schottenheimer said.
“We had an opportunity last night to celebrate Marshawn’s life, tell some stories, share, laugh, cry.
“Marshawn loved the words ‘one love,’ so we talked a lot about love as we grieve.
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“I had a chance to share a couple things I’ll miss the most about Marshawn.
“Those top couple things was he had the most playful spirit in a young man I’ve been around.
“His smile could take you to your knees, and in terms of him as an athlete no one had a better motor than him.
“So my heart is heavy, our team’s heart is heavy. We don’t move on but we do move forward.”
Kneeland, 24, died last week aged 24 from an apparent suicide.
He is understood to have passed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police chase and a car crash in Frisco, Texas.
His family and friends are said to have been concerned for his welfare, before his body was found.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.