NFL Star’s Son Born 7 Months After His Tragic Death

Cooper Neill / Getty ImagesCatalina Mancera has welcomed her first child with late Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland, seven months after the NFL star’s death at age 24. Mancera announced the birth of their son, Makhai, in an emotional Instagram post on Monday. The baby was born on June 11, and Mancera captioned the post, “My favorite gift from you.” The tribute included photos of Makhai’s footprints, images of the newborn holding his mother’s finger, and a onesie featuring a woven image of the baby wearing his dad’s Cowboys number. She also shared a video showing the moment she revealed her pregnancy to Kneeland. The birth comes months after Kneeland died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Nov. 5, 2025. A few days later, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer publicly confirmed that Mancera was pregnant and said the organization would support both her and the unborn child. The team subsequently established the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund to provide financial assistance for Mancera and their son. Mancera’s announcement was met with an outpouring of online support, as fans and members of the football community celebrated Makhai’s arrival while remembering Kneeland. View this post on Instagram If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.Read it at PeopleRead more at The Daily Beast.