| No. 29, 24, 26 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | (1975-09-10)September 10, 1975 (age 49) Fontana, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Rubidoux (Riverside, California) | ||||||||||||||
| College: | USC | ||||||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1997 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
As a player: | |||||||||||||||
As a coach: | |||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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Sammy Dye Knight Jr. (born September 10, 1975) is an American former professionalfootball player who was asafety in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theUSC Trojans and was signed by theNew Orleans Saints as anundrafted free agent in1997. Knight was also a member of theMiami Dolphins,Kansas City Chiefs,Jacksonville Jaguars andNew York Giants. He was also an assistant coach for USC.[1]
Knight graduated fromRubidoux High School inRiverside, California,[2] before attending theUniversity of Southern California. He has three brothers who also playedcollege football: Ryan was a record-setting prep All-American running back (rushing for 501 yards in a game) who then lettered four years (1984–87) attailback at USC and led theTrojans in rushing in 1985 and 1986 (he is 20th on USC's career rushing list with 1,875 yards), Greg played defensive line at Colorado (1986) and Darryl lettered 3 years (1998–2000) at linebacker at USC. His father, Sam Sr., played on a California state championship basketball team at Riverside (Calif.) Community College in the early 1960s that was coached by Jerry Tarkanian. He is married to Freda Knight, a Hampton University Graduate. They have four daughters named Shianne, Samone, Savannah, and Sasha. Knight also has an older daughter named Aneka.
On April 25, 1997, theNew Orleans Saints signed Knight to a one-year,$138,500 contract as anundrafted free agent after he went undrafted in the1997 NFL draft.[3]
Throughout training camp, Knight competed to be the starting strong safety againstJe'Rod Cherry,Vashone Adams, and rookieRob Kelly. Head coachMike Ditka named Knight the backup strong safety to begin the regular season, behind starting strong safety Vashone Adams.[4]
He made his professional regular season debut in theNew Orleans Saints' 38–24 season-opening loss at theSt. Louis Rams. On September 28, 1997, Knight earned his first career start and recorded 11 combined tackles and made his first career interception during a 14–9 loss at theNew York Giants in Week 5. Knight made his first career interception off a pass by Giants' quarterbackDave Brown, that was originally intended for wide receiverKevin Alexander, and returned it for a 32-yard gain in the third quarter.[5] On September 30, 1997, the New Orleans Saints released Vashone Adams after Knight surpassed him on the depth chart and became the starting strong safety.[6] In Week 14, Knight recorded eight combined tackles and made two interceptions in the Saints' 16–13 win at theCarolina Panthers. Knight made two interceptions off pass attempts byKerry Collins andSteve Beuerlein during the game.[7] Knight finished his rookie season in1997 with 84 combined tackles and five interceptions in 16 games and 12 starts.[8]
On February 18, 1998, the New Orleans Saints offered Knight a one-year restricted free agent contract tender to remain with the team. Knight became the starting free safety after Anthony Newman departed in free agency. Head coach Mike Ditka named Knight the starter to begin the season, alongside strong safetyChad Cota.[9] Knight was inactive for two games (Weeks 4–5) due to an injury. On November 8, 1998, Knight made three tackles, two interceptions, and scored his first career touchdown during a 31–24 loss at theMinnesota Vikings in Week 10. Knight intercepted a pass by Vikings' quarterbackBrad Johnson and returned in for a 91-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.[10] In Week 16, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown in the Saints 19–17 loss at theArizona Cardinals. Knight intercepted a pass by Cardinals' quarterbackJake Plummer, that was intended for wide receiverFrank Sanders, and returned it for a 32-yard touchdown in the first quarter.[11] Knight finished the1998 NFL season with 75 combined tackles and a career-high six interceptions in 14 games and 14 starts.[8] His six interceptions tied for eighth most in the league in 1998.
On March 23, 1999, the New Orleans Saints signed Knight to a five-year,$10 million contract with asigning bonus of $2 million.[12] Knight was named the starting strong safety and began the season alongside free safetyRob Kelly and cornerbacksAshley Ambrose andFred Weary.[13] In Week 6, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles during a 24–21 loss to theTennessee Titans.[14] He started all 16 games for the first time in his career in1999 and recorded 101 combined tackles and an interception.[8]
On January 5, 2000, the New Orleans Saints fired head coach Mike Ditka after they finished the 1999 season with a 3–13 record.[15] On February 3, 2000, the New Orleans Saints hiredPittsburgh Steelers'defensive coordinatorJim Haslett as their new head coach.[16] Defensive coordinatorRon Zook retained Knight as the starting strong safety. Knight started alongside starting free safetyDarren Perry in 2000.[17]
He started in theNew Orleans Saints' season-opener against theDetroit Lions and collected a season-high ten combined tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown in their 14–10 loss. Knight intercepted a pass by Lions quarterbackStoney Case, that was originally intended for tight endDavid Sloan, and returned it for a 37-yard touchdown in the first quarter.[18] On November 3, 2000, Knight made four combined tackles, forced a fumble, and made his first careersack in the Saints' 20–10 win against theCarolina Panthers in Week 11. Knight had a strip/sack on Panthers' quarterbackSteve Beuerlein and it was recovered and returned for a 90-yard touchdown by teammateKeith Mitchell in the third quarter.[19] In Week 16, he recorded seven combined tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown as the Saints defeated theAtlanta Falcons 23–7. Knight intercepted a pass by Falcons'quarterbackDoug Johnson and returned it for a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter.[20] Knight started in all 16 games in2000 and recorded 100 combined tackles, five interceptions, two sacks, two touchdowns.[8]
The New Orleans Saints finished first in theNFC West with a 10–6 record and earned a playoff berth. On December 30, 2000, Knight started in his first career playoff game and recorded five combined tackles and made two interceptions during the Saints' 31–28 win against theSt. Louis Rams in the NFC Wildcard Game. Knight intercepted two pass attempts by Rams' quarterbackKurt Warner.[21] The following week, he made four combined tackles as the Saints lost 34–16 at theMinnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional Round.[22]
Knight returned as the starting strong safety in 2001 and started alongside free safetyJay Bellamy and cornerbacksKevin Mathis andFred Thomas.[23] He started in theNew Orleans Saints' season-opener at theBuffalo Bills and recorded three combined tackles, deflected three passes, and made a career-high three interceptions in their 24–6 victory. Knight made three interceptions off pass attempts by Bills' quarterbackRob Johnson.[24] On October 28, 2001, Knight made eight combined tackles, broke up two passes, made a sack, and intercepted two passes by quarterbackKurt Warner during a 34–31 victory at theSt. Louis Rams in Week 7. In Week 15, he collected a career-high 17 combined tackles (12 solo) and deflected a pass in the Saints' 43–21 loss at theTampa Bay Buccaneers.[25] He started in a 16 games in2001 and recorded 96 combined tackles (78 solo), six pass deflections, four interceptions, and a sack.[26] He was selected to the2002 Pro Bowl and was voted second-team All-Pro in 2001.[27]
Head coach Jim Haslett retained Knight and Jay Bellamy as the starting safeties in 2002.[28] In Week 3, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (ten solo), deflected a pass, and made an interception during a 29–23 win at theChicago Bears. On December 29, 2002, Knight recorded nine combined tackles, broke up two passes, and made a season-high two interceptions in the Saints' 10–6 loss at theCarolina Panthers in Week 17. Knight intercepted two passes by Panthers' quarterbackRodney Peete.[29] He started in all 16 games in2002 and recorded a career-high 104 combined tackles (80 solo), deflected 11 passes, made five interceptions, and made two sacks.[26]
On February 27, 2003, Knight opted out the last year of his five-year contract and became an unrestricted free agent. Knight voided the final year after it became possible that the New Orleans Saints were going to release him. Knight was set to receive a salary of $1.92 million in 2003.[12]
On May 13, 2003, theMiami Dolphins signed Knight to a two-year,$2.38 millioncontract that includes asigning bonus of $300,000.[30]
Throughout training camp, he competed to be the starting strong safety againstArturo Freeman.[30] Head coachDave Wannstedt named Knight the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safetyBrock Marion.[31] In Week 14, he collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (11 solo) during a 12–0 loss at theNew England Patriots. Knight started all 16 games in2003 and recorded 96 combined tackles (64 solo), six pass deflections, and three interceptions.[26]
Head coach Dave Wannstedt retained Knight as the starting strong safety in 2004. He started alongside free safetyAntuan Edwards.[32] In Week 8, Knight collected a season-high nine combined tackles (six solo) in the Dolphins' 41–14 loss at theNew York Jets. On December 20, 2004, Knight made nine combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 29–28 win at theNew England Patriots in Week 15. Knight intercepted two pass attempts by Patriots' quarterbackTom Brady.[33] In Week 17, Knight recorded seven combined tackles and made his first career safety during a 30–23 loss at theBaltimore Ravens. Knight was credited with his first career safety during a fumble by running backJamal Lewis in the fourth quarter.[34] He started in all 16 games in2004 and made 98 combined tackles (52 solo), four interceptions, and a safety.[26]
On March 11, 2005, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Knight to a five-year contract.[35] Knight reunited with former teammatesWillie Roaf(Saints) andPatrick Surtain(Dolphins).
Head coachDick Vermeil named Knight the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safetyGreg Wesley.[36]
On October 16, 2005, Knight recorded five combined tackles, deflected a pass, and returned a fumble for a touchdown during a 28–21 victory against theWashington Redskins in Week 6. Knight recovered a fumble after teammateCarlos Hall stripped the ball from Redskins' running backRock Cartwright.[37] In Week 10, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (seven solo) during a 14–3 loss at theBuffalo Bills. On November 27, 2005, Knight made six solo tackles,a season-high three pass deflections, a sack, and made his first interception as a member of the Chiefs during a 26–16 win against theNew England Patriots in Week 12.[38] Knight and Greg Wesley intercepted Patriots' quarterbackTom Brady four times during the game. On December 31, 2005, Kansas City Chiefs' head coach Dick Vermeil announced his decision to retire at the conclusion of the2005 NFL season. Knight started in all 16 games in2005 and recorded 89 combined tackles (70 solo), 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, two sacks, and a touchdown.[26]
On January 7, 2006, the Kansas City Chiefs hiredHerman Edwards as their new head coach after reaching a trade agreement with his previous team, theNew York Jets.[39] Edwards opted to retainGunther Cunningham asDefensive coordinator. Knight and Greg Wesley returned as the starting safeties in2006.[40] In Week 13, he collected a season-high ten solo tackles in the Chiefs' 31–28 loss at theCleveland Browns.[41] He started in all 16 games in2006 and recorded 83 combined tackles (74 solo), four pass deflections, two sacks, and an interception.[26]
On March 22, 2007, the Kansas City Chiefs cut Knight after he declined to restructure his contract.[42]
On August 13, 2007, theJacksonville Jaguars signed Knight to a one-year, $820,000 contract. Head coachJack Del Rio named Knight the starting strong safety to start the 2007 season, alongside rookieReggie Nelson.[43] In Week 6, he collected a season-high 12 solo tackles and made a pass deflection during the Jaguars' 37–17 win against theHouston Texans. On November 25, 2007, Knight made two solo tackles, broke up a pass, and made his last career interception off a pass byJ. P. Losman during a 36–14 win against theBuffalo Bills in Week 12.[44] He started in all 16 games in2007 and recorded 93 combined tackles (79 solo), 11 pass deflections, and four interceptions.[26]
TheJacksonville Jaguars finished second in theAFC South with an 11–5 record and earned a wildcard berth. On January 5, 2008, Knight recorded 13 combined tackles (ten solo) during a 31–29 victory at thePittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wildcard Game. The following week, the Jaguars were eliminated from the playoffs after a 31–20 loss at theNew England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
On March 3, 2008, theNew York Giants signed Knight to a three-year, $5.15 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1.25 million.[45] Knight was signed as a replacement forGibril Wilson who departed during free agency.
Knight entered camp slated as the starting strong safety, but saw competition fromMichael Johnson.[46] Head coachTom Coughlin named Knight the backup strong safety to begin the regular season, behind Michael Johnson.[47] On November 29, 2008, the New York Giants placed Knight on injured reserve due a hip injury.[48] He finished the season with 12 combined tackles (ten solo) in nine games and no starts. On February 9, 2009, the New York Giants released Knight.
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 1997 | NOR | 16 | 12 | 84 | 67 | 17 | 0.0 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | NOR | 14 | 13 | 75 | 62 | 13 | 0.0 | 6 | 171 | 2 | 91 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 1999 | NOR | 16 | 16 | 105 | 76 | 29 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | NOR | 16 | 16 | 101 | 75 | 26 | 2.0 | 5 | 68 | 2 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | NOR | 16 | 16 | 98 | 80 | 18 | 1.0 | 6 | 114 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | NOR | 16 | 16 | 107 | 82 | 25 | 2.0 | 5 | 36 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | MIA | 16 | 16 | 98 | 66 | 32 | 0.0 | 3 | 98 | 0 | 70 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | MIA | 16 | 16 | 100 | 54 | 46 | 0.0 | 4 | 32 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | KAN | 16 | 16 | 91 | 71 | 20 | 2.0 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 80 | 1 |
| 2006 | KAN | 16 | 16 | 84 | 75 | 9 | 2.0 | 1 | 27 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | JAX | 16 | 15 | 93 | 79 | 14 | 0.0 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | NYG | 9 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 183 | 168 | 1,048 | 797 | 251 | 9.0 | 42 | 664 | 4 | 91 | 12 | 13 | 83 | 1 | ||
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2000 | NOR | 2 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0.0 | 2 | 56 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | KAN | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | JAX | 2 | 2 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 5 | 36 | 24 | 12 | 0.0 | 2 | 56 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
In 2010 and 2011 Knight was part of theUSC coaching staff as a graduate assistant primarily working with the safeties.[1][49]