Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland's son born seven months after his passing

• Baby Makhai was born on 11 June, seven months after Marshawn Kneeland's death
• Catalina Mancera announced the birth on Instagram on Monday, 15 June
• The Dallas Cowboys created the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund for Mancera and Makhai

Catalina Mancera, the girlfriend of late Dallas Cowboys Defensive End Marshawn Kneeland, has given birth to the couple's first child, a boy named Makhai, born on 11 June — seven months after Kneeland's death at the age of 24. Mancera announced the arrival in an Instagram post on Monday writing: "my favorite gift from you"

Introducing Makhai

In the post, Mancera shared a series of photographs and a video. One image showed her holding a photo of baby Makhai in front of his ink footprints, while another captured the newborn wrapping his hand around his mother's finger. A third photo showed Makhai dressed in a onesie bearing a woven image of his father in his Dallas Cowboys jersey.

Mancera also included a video recorded months earlier, showing the moment she revealed her positive pregnancy test to Kneeland and capturing his smile as he heard the news.

The Cowboys' response

On 12 November 2025, Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed Mancera's pregnancy during a press conference held one week after Kneeland's death. "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.

The organisation also announced the creation of the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund to provide financial support to Mancera and the couple's child. The fund's website states: "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."

Kneeland's death

The Cowboys confirmed Kneeland's death in a statement on 6 November 2025. "It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning," the club said. "Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family."

Kneeland's agent, Jonathan Perzley, confirmed he died on the night of 5 November, just 48 hours after a standout performance during the Cowboys' Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in which he recovered a blocked punt and scored a touchdown in the second quarter. He died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after leading Texas Department of Public Safety troopers on a chase north of Dallas.

In the hours before his death, Mancera had contacted police with concerns for Kneeland's safety. Police audio obtained by PEOPLE included a dispatcher saying: "We're talking to the girlfriend. She's trying to call his agent, but we're trying to get her to call him first, but she's saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness and her quote was, 'He will end it all.'" A second dispatcher was also heard noting that Kneeland's family had "received a text from him, a group text from him, saying goodbye. They're concerned for his welfare."

On 12 November, Mancera broke her silence on Facebook, writing: "My sweet baby, words could never express how broken I feel, you're my everything. I'll love you forever my beautiful angel."

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