Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke publicly on Wednesday about the death of player Marshawn Kneeland.
“I’m hurting,” Schottenheimer said, choking up.
Schottenheimer had to fight back his own emotions during his weekly news conference.
The whole news conference was dedicated to sharing information about Kneeland.
He died last week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a welfare call at his Plano home.
“My heart is heavy,” Schottenheimer said. “Our team’s heart is heavy. We don’t move on, but we do move forward.”
Part of moving forward is cherishing the memories.
“He had the most playful spirit of any young man I’ve been around,” Schottenheimer said. “His smile could take you to your knees.”
The healing process will include support. Professional counselors were available to players who needed to talk.
“We don’t move on, we do move forward, and we do that together, and we do that by locking arms and working and breathing and growing and processing together,” Schottenheimer said.
MARSHAAWN KNEELAND
There will also be ongoing support for Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, who is pregnant.
“Started the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund where we can all give and support Catalina,” Schottenheimer said. “She’s pregnant, and so we want to make sure she’s taken care of and the baby’s taken care of for the rest of their lives.”
Schottenheimer said Thursday will start the process of easing back into practice routines, which he knows will not be easy, but it must be done.
“Some guys getting out on the grass is going to be the best thing,” Schottenheimer said. “Some guys getting out on the grass is going to be painful, and that’s okay, and we’re going to give each other grace and time.”
