Joe McKnight American football player Date of Birth: 16.04.1988 Country: USA

Content:

1. Joseph McKnight: A Promising Football Career Cut Short
2. College Career at USC Trojans
3. Professional Football Career
4. Canadian Football League and Death
5. Aftermath and Investigation
6. Honors and Legacy

Joseph McKnight: A Promising Football Career Cut Short

Early Life and High School Career

Joseph Nathan "Joe" McKnight was born on April 16, 1988, in Kenner, Louisiana. He attended John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge, where he played as a cornerback during his high school years. However, his high school athletic career was disrupted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

With his mother evacuated to Baton Rouge and McKnight staying in Shreveport, he eventually played in two games for Evangel Christian Academy. The family later reunited in River Ridge, only to find their home destroyed by the hurricane, forcing them to live in a one-bedroom apartment.

College Career at USC Trojans

McKnight attended the University of Southern California, where he played college football for the USC Trojans. Touted as the "next Reggie Bush" by media and coaches, he inscribed "I need $" under his eyes during his freshman season to express his desire to play professional football in the NFL.

McKnight was included in Sports Illustrated's spring watch list for the Heisman Trophy during his sophomore season. However, his sophomore year was plagued by injuries, including a toe sprain that sidelined him for two games.

Professional Football Career

In the 2010 NFL Draft, McKnight was selected in the fourth round by the New York Jets. He made his NFL debut on October 3, 2010, against the Buffalo Bills. On October 2, 2011, he returned a kickoff 107 yards for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens, marking the Jets' longest play of this kind.

In September 2012, Jets head coach Rex Ryan announced his intention to move McKnight to cornerback following an injury to Darrelle Revis. However, McKnight quickly returned to his previous position of running back. He had a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against the Houston Texans on October 8, 2012, his second career touchdown.

After missing the entire 2013 season, McKnight signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on January 12, 2014. He suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during a practice in September 2014.

Canadian Football League and Death

McKnight joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League, but he was released on August 9, 2016, after several fumbles. On September 20, 2016, he was acquired by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Making his Roughriders debut on October 15, 2016, McKnight rushed for 150 yards on 17 carries (8.82 yards per carry). He appeared in three games for the Roughriders during the 2016 season.

On December 1, 2016, McKnight was fatally shot in Terrytown, Louisiana, by 54-year-old Ronald Gasser. Media outlets initially reported that Gasser stood over McKnight after the first shot, saying, "I told you not to f--k with me," and then fired a second shot. However, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office later disputed this claim. Forensic evidence suggested that Gasser likely fired the shots in quick succession while remaining in his car. McKnight was reportedly unarmed.

Aftermath and Investigation

Gasser remained at the scene of the shooting and turned over the murder weapon to police. He was taken into custody for questioning.

Media investigations revealed that the shooter's father, the late Ronald Gasser Sr., also had a history of road rage incidents, having accumulated at least ten traffic tickets for parking violations and running red lights.

Gasser Sr. had raised his son as a single parent, and the two had lived together for the past 15 years. Speculation arose that Gasser Sr.'s poor driving record may have influenced his son's road rage behavior.

Approximately ten years earlier, in February 2006, Ronald Gasser Jr., then 54 years old, had followed and punched another motorist near the same location where McKnight was killed. He was charged with a misdemeanor battery charge, which was later dismissed.

In a separate incident with his neighbor, Muhammad Moussa, Gasser Jr. had chased Moussa down Berhman Highway in October 2015 after Moussa allegedly cut him off in traffic.

"I stopped at a red light," recalled Moussa. "He started cursing me out, and I cursed him back." However, a Deputy Sheriff was nearby, and that confrontation ended.

According to Moussa, Gasser had tried to chase him down again on another occasion, rolled down his window, gave him the finger, and drove off. Moussa said he avoided Gasser on the road after that.

Honors and Legacy

Joseph McKnight was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week on September 14, 2009, following a victory over Ohio State University. He was also recognized as the Times-Picayune's Prep Athlete of the Decade.

American football

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