Sammy Dee Knight Jr. (born September 10, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997. Knight was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Giants. He was also an assistant coach for USC.Sammy Knight biography at usctrojans.com (accessed September 3, 2015).
Early life Knight graduated from Rubidoux High School in Riverside, California,Sammy Knight, Jacksonville Jaguars. Accessed December 29, 2007. before attending the University of Southern California. He has three brothers who also played college 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) at tailback at USC and led the Trojans 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.
Professional career New Orleans Saints 1997 On April 25, 1997, the New Orleans Saints signed Knight to a one-year, $138,500 contract as an undrafted free agent that included an initial signing bonus of $7,500 after he went undrafted in the 1997 NFL draft.
Throughout training camp, Knight competed to be the starting strong safety against Je'Rod Cherry, Vashone Adams, and rookie Rob Kelly. Head coach Mike Ditka named Knight the backup strong safety to begin the regular season, behind starting strong safety Vashone Adams.
He made his professional regular season debut in the New Orleans Saints' 38–24 season-opening loss at the St. 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 the New York Giants in Week 5. Knight made his first career interception off a pass by Giants' quarterback Dave Brown, that was originally intended for wide receiver Kevin Alexander, and returned it for a 32-yard gain in the third quarter. 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. In Week 14, Knight recorded eight combined tackles and made two interceptions in the Saints' 16–13 win at the Carolina Panthers. Knight made two interceptions off pass attempts by Kerry Collins and Steve Beuerlein during the game. Knight finished his rookie season in 1997 with 84 combined tackles and five interceptions in 16 games and 12 starts.
1998 On February 18, 1998, the New Orleans Saints offered Knight a one–year, $198,000 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 safety Chad Cota. 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 the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. Knight intercepted a pass by Vikings' quarterback Brad Johnson and returned in for a 91-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. 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 the Arizona Cardinals. Knight intercepted a pass by Cardinals' quarterback Jake Plummer, that was intended for wide receiver Frank Sanders, and returned it for a 32-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Knight finished the 1998 NFL season with 75 combined tackles and a career-high six interceptions in 14 games and 14 starts. His six interceptions tied for eighth most in the league in 1998.
1999 On March 23, 1999, the New Orleans Saints signed Knight to a five–year, $10 million contract with a signing bonus of $2 million. Knight was named the starting strong safety and began the season alongside free safety Rob Kelly and cornerbacks Ashley Ambrose and Fred Weary. In Week 6, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles during a 24–21 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He started all 16 games for the first time in his career in 1999 and recorded 101 combined tackles and an interception.
2000 On January 5, 2000, the New Orleans Saints fired head coach Mike Ditka after they finished the 1999 season with a 3–13 record. On February 3, 2000, the New Orleans Saints hired Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive coordinator Jim Haslett as their new head coach. Defensive coordinator Ron Zook retained Knight as the starting strong safety. Knight started alongside starting free safety Darren Perry in 2000.
He started in the New Orleans Saints' season-opener against the Detroit 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 quarterback Stoney Case, that was originally intended for tight end David Sloan, and returned it for a 37-yard touchdown in the first quarter. On November 3, 2000, Knight made four combined tackles, forced a fumble, and made his first career sack in the Saints' 20–10 win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11. Knight had a strip/sack on Panthers' quarterback Steve Beuerlein and it was recovered and returned for a 90-yard touchdown by teammate Keith Mitchell in the third quarter. In Week 16, he recorded seven combined tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown as the Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23–7. Knight intercepted a pass by Falcons'quarterback Doug Johnson and returned it for a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Knight started in all 16 games in 2000 and recorded 100 combined tackles, five interceptions, two sacks, two touchdowns.
The New Orleans Saints finished first in the NFC 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 the St. Louis Rams in the NFC Wildcard Game. Knight intercepted two pass attempts by Rams' quarterback Kurt Warner. The following week, he made four combined tackles as the Saints lost 34–16 at the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional Round.
2001 Knight returned as the starting strong safety in 2001 and started alongside free safety Jay Bellamy and cornerbacks Kevin Mathis and Fred Thomas. He started in the New Orleans Saints' season-opener at the Buffalo 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' quarterback Rob Johnson. On October 28, 2001, Knight made eight combined tackles, broke up two passes, made a sack, and intercepted two passes by quarterback Kurt Warner during a 34–31 victory at the St. 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 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started in a 16 games in 2001 and recorded 96 combined tackles (78 solo), six pass deflections, four interceptions, and a sack. He was selected to the 2002 Pro Bowl and was voted second-team All-Pro in 2001.
2002 Head coach Jim Haslett retained Knight and Jay Bellamy as the starting safeties in 2002. 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 the Chicago 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 the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. Knight intercepted two passes by Panthers' quarterback Rodney Peete. He started in all 16 games in 2002 and recorded a career-high 104 combined tackles (80 solo), deflected 11 passes, made five interceptions, and made two sacks.
2003 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.
Miami Dolphins On May 13, 2003, the Miami Dolphins signed Knight to a two-year, $2.38 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $300,000.
Throughout training camp, he competed to be the starting strong safety against Arturo Freeman. Head coach Dave Wannstedt named Knight the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safety Brock Marion. In Week 14, he collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (11 solo) during a 12–0 loss at the New England Patriots. Knight started all 16 games in 2003 and recorded 96 combined tackles (64 solo), six pass deflections, and three interceptions.
2004 Head coach Dave Wannstedt retained Knight as the starting strong safety in 2004. He started alongside free safety Antuan Edwards. In Week 8, Knight collected a season-high nine combined tackles (six solo) in the Dolphins' 41–14 loss at the New York Jets. On December 20, 2004, Knight made nine combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 29–28 win at the New England Patriots in Week 15. Knight intercepted two pass attempts by Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady. In Week 17, Knight recorded seven combined tackles and made his first career safety during a 30–23 loss at the Baltimore Ravens. Knight was credited with his first career safety during a fumble by running back Jamal Lewis in the fourth quarter. He started in all 16 games in 2004 and made 98 combined tackles (52 solo), four interceptions, and a safety.
Kansas City Chiefs 2005 On March 11, 2005, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Knight to a five–year, $11.12 million contract that included a signing bonus of $1.20 million. Knight reunited with former teammates Willie Roaf (Saints) and Patrick Surtain (Dolphins).
Head coach Dick Vermeil named Knight the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safety Greg Wesley.
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 the Washington Redskins in Week 6. Knight recovered a fumble after teammate Carlos Hall stripped the ball from Redskins' running back Rock Cartwright. In Week 10, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (seven solo) during a 14–3 loss at the Buffalo 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 the New England Patriots in Week 12. Knight and Greg Wesley intercepted Patriots' quarterback Tom 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 the 2005 NFL season. Knight started in all 16 games in 2005 and recorded 89 combined tackles (70 solo), 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, two sacks, and a touchdown.
2006