The Dallas Cowboys held a candlelight vigil and launched a memorial fund for late defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died at age 24 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during the team's bye week. Kneeland's girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, is pregnant with their child, and the organization is committed to supporting her. Coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasized the team's heavy hearts while vowing to move forward in Kneeland's memory.
The Dallas Cowboys continue to grieve the loss of 24-year-old edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland, who passed away on November 6, 2025, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident occurred during the team's Week 10 bye, prompting immediate support measures including a team Zoom call on November 6 with doctors and counselors, individual outreach, and full team meetings on Monday and Tuesday featuring breakout sessions and guest speakers.
On Tuesday night, the Cowboys hosted a 90-minute candlelight vigil and memorial inside the Ford Center, organized at Mancera's request. Pastor Jonathan Evans, the team's chaplain, opened and closed the event. Speakers included Schottenheimer, owner and general manager Jerry Jones, Mancera, Kneeland's high school coach Brandon Kimble, agent Jon Perzley, advisor Jay Bass, uncle Preston Kneeland, and teammates Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.
Schottenheimer described Kneeland's playful spirit and infectious smile, noting his love for the phrase 'One Love.' 'We told stories, shared, laughed, cried,' Schottenheimer said. 'Marshawn loved the words "One Love," so we talked a lot about love as we grieved. He had the most playful spirit of any young man I've been around. His smile could take you to your knees. 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.'
The team established the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund to support Mancera and their unborn child. 'We want to make sure she is taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives,' Schottenheimer added.
Tributes include helmet decals for the remainder of the 2025 season, memorial T-shirts before the Week 11 game at Las Vegas and Week 12 home game against Philadelphia, and a moment of silence with a tribute video at AT&T Stadium.
Prescott and Thomas, who lost siblings to suicide, have provided crucial leadership. Prescott said, 'It's OK to feel however you're feeling. Hard to balance my emotions today. Tough moment for this team. I feel and hurt for everybody that's involved in this and Marshawn's family and loved ones.' The Cowboys resume practice Thursday, one day at a time, honoring Kneeland through their play.
