Sammy Knight played college football for the USC Trojans and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997.
44 Facts About Sammy Knight
1.
2.
Sammy Knight graduated from Rubidoux High School in Riverside, California, before attending the University of Southern California.
3.
Sammy Knight has three brothers who played college football: Ryan was a record-setting prep All-American running back who then lettered four years at tailback at USC and led the Trojans in rushing in 1985 and 1986, Greg played defensive line at Colorado and Darryl lettered 3 years at linebacker at USC.
4.
Sammy Knight is married to Freda Knight, a Hampton University Graduate.
5.
Sammy 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.
6.
On September 30,1997, the New Orleans Saints released Vashone Adams after Sammy Knight surpassed him on the depth chart and became the starting strong safety.
7.
Sammy Knight made two interceptions off pass attempts by Kerry Collins and Steve Beuerlein during the game.
8.
Sammy Knight finished his rookie season in 1997 with 84 combined tackles and five interceptions in 16 games and 12 starts.
9.
Sammy Knight became the starting free safety after Anthony Newman departed in free agency.
10.
Sammy Knight was inactive for two games due to an injury.
11.
Sammy Knight intercepted a pass by Vikings' quarterback Brad Johnson and returned in for a 91-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
12.
Sammy 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.
13.
Sammy Knight finished the 1998 NFL season with 75 combined tackles and a career-high six interceptions in 14 games and 14 starts.
14.
Sammy Knight was named the starting strong safety and began the season alongside free safety Rob Kelly and cornerbacks Ashley Ambrose and Fred Weary.
15.
Sammy Knight started all 16 games for the first time in his career in 1999 and recorded 101 combined tackles and an interception.
16.
Sammy Knight started alongside starting free safety Darren Perry in 2000.
17.
Sammy 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.
18.
Sammy Knight intercepted a pass by Falcons'quarterback Doug Johnson and returned it for a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
19.
Sammy Knight started in all 16 games in 2000 and recorded 100 combined tackles, five interceptions, two sacks, two touchdowns.
20.
Sammy Knight intercepted two pass attempts by Rams' quarterback Kurt Warner.
21.
Sammy Knight returned as the starting strong safety in 2001 and started alongside free safety Jay Bellamy and cornerbacks Kevin Mathis and Fred Thomas.
22.
Sammy Knight made three interceptions off pass attempts by Bills' quarterback Rob Johnson.
23.
Sammy Knight started in a 16 games in 2001 and recorded 96 combined tackles, six pass deflections, four interceptions, and a sack.
24.
Sammy Knight was selected to the 2002 Pro Bowl and was voted second-team All-Pro in 2001.
25.
Sammy Knight started in all 16 games in 2002 and recorded a career-high 104 combined tackles, deflected 11 passes, made five interceptions, and made two sacks.
26.
On February 27,2003, Sammy Knight opted out the last year of his five-year contract and became an unrestricted free agent.
27.
Sammy Knight voided the final year after it became possible that the New Orleans Saints were going to release him.
28.
Sammy Knight was set to receive a salary of $1.92 million in 2003.
29.
Head coach Dave Wannstedt named Sammy Knight the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safety Brock Marion.
30.
Sammy Knight started all 16 games in 2003 and recorded 96 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and three interceptions.
31.
Sammy Knight intercepted two pass attempts by Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady.
32.
Sammy Knight was credited with his first career safety during a fumble by running back Jamal Lewis in the fourth quarter.
33.
Sammy Knight started in all 16 games in 2004 and made 98 combined tackles, four interceptions, and a safety.
34.
Sammy Knight reunited with former teammates Willie Roaf and Patrick Surtain.
35.
Sammy Knight recovered a fumble after teammate Carlos Hall stripped the ball from Redskins' running back Rock Cartwright.
36.
Sammy Knight started in all 16 games in 2005 and recorded 89 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, two sacks, and a touchdown.
37.
Sammy Knight started in all 16 games in 2006 and recorded 83 combined tackles, four pass deflections, two sacks, and an interception.
38.
Head coach Jack Del Rio named Sammy Knight the starting strong safety to start the 2007 season, alongside rookie Reggie Nelson.
39.
Sammy Knight started in all 16 games in 2007 and recorded 93 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, and four interceptions.
40.
Sammy Knight was signed as a replacement for Gibril Wilson who departed during free agency.
41.
Sammy Knight entered camp slated as the starting strong safety, but saw competition from Michael Johnson.
42.
On November 29,2008, the New York Giants placed Sammy Knight on injured reserve due a hip injury.
43.
Sammy Knight finished the season with 12 combined tackles in nine games and no starts.
44.
In 2010 and 2011 Sammy Knight was part of the USC coaching staff as a graduate assistant primarily working with the safeties.