Football community mourns Roughrider Joe McKnight
28-year-old shot and killed in traffic argument near New Orleans
On Thursday night, it seemed like the entire football community was mourning the loss of Saskatchewan Roughrider Joe McKnight.
McKnight, 28, was shot in his home-state of Louisiana after what police called a traffic argument outside New Orleans in Terrytown.
It is with deep sorrow that we have learned of the devastating news of the loss of Saskatchewan Roughriders player, Joe McKnight. <a href="https://t.co/x7Q8zBr1iL">pic.twitter.com/x7Q8zBr1iL</a>
—@sskroughridersMcKnight was a college football star at the University of Southern California and was drafted into the NFL in 2010, spending time with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2016 he came north to the CFL, playing first for the Edmonton Eskimos and then the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Many of his former teams took to social media to pay their respects.
Rest in peace, Joe McKnight. <br><br>Our thoughts and condolences are with his loved ones. <a href="https://t.co/vtEihPomt9">pic.twitter.com/vtEihPomt9</a>
—@nyjets<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightOnForever?src=hash">#FightOnForever</a> Joe McKnight. <br><br>The former USC running back was shot and killed today in Louisiana. <a href="https://t.co/6gPTBCHz5A">https://t.co/6gPTBCHz5A</a>
—@USC_AthleticsWhile some of his former teammates also took time to voice their grief.
Man.. still doesn't make sense to me... R.I.P to my teammate, my bro Joe McKnight.. life isn't fair.
—@Demski9Just got a message saying my former teammate Joe McKnight was killed today. This hurt to the heart. I can't stop crying. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RestInPeace?src=hash">#RestInPeace</a>
—@CRO31RIP Joe <a href="https://t.co/lpDjfNb128">pic.twitter.com/lpDjfNb128</a>
—@briancushing56A former top overall prospect in his high school class, McKnight is being remembered for his speed and agility on the field. In his second NFL season he led the league in yards per kickoff return (31.6).
He was often compared to fellow running back Reggie Bush, who also attended and played for USC.
RIP my brother Joe McKnight this one hurts bad
—@ReggieBushEverybody in the world wanted to be <a href="https://twitter.com/ReggieBush">@ReggieBush</a> , us in New Orleans wanted to run the ball like Joe McKnight.
—@Mathieu_EraRest In Peace Joe McKnight, Put The Guns Down. <a href="https://t.co/KoaLWewf70">pic.twitter.com/KoaLWewf70</a>
—@DetroitMomentsMcKnight is the second CFL player and third professional football player to be shot to death this year.
Calgary Stampeders defensive back Mylan Hicks was killed outside a Calgary nightclub in September, and former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith was killed in April in a shooting that was also sparked over a traffic altercation.
Many took McKnight's death as an opportunity to call for the end of gun violence.
This is just ridiculous smh it needs to stop! My condolences to Joe McKnight's family 😔😔🙏🏿
—@LG_BlountRIP, Joe McKnight. You are gun death 13, 624 in USA in 2016. USA is a "world leader" in road rage gun killings.
—@TurnVinylCrazy thing is he was joking about wanting to stay up here in Regina/Canada because he enjoyed how chill and peaceful it was...
—@spencermoore80McKnight finished the 2016 season with 228 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards over five games with Edmonton and Saskatchewan.