Mike Knox (American football)
American football player (born 1962)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Alan Knox (born November 21, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
| No. 56 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born | November 21, 1962 Boulder, Colorado, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Douglas County (Castle Rock, Colorado) |
| College | Nebraska (1981–1985) |
| NFL draft | 1986: undrafted |
| Career history | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
Michael Alan Knox was born on November 21, 1962, in Boulder, Colorado.[1] He played high school football at Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colorado, as a fullback and linebacker, earning all-state and All-American honors.[2][3][4] He also won two state heavyweight wrestling titles.[3]
College career
Knox played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He earned a varsity letter as a true freshman in 1981.[3] He was the only freshman on the team that year to earn a letter.[3] Knox posted six solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup.[3] He was a backup at weakside linebacker in 1982, recording 25 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, and three pass breakups.[3]
Knox became a starter his junior year in 1983.[3] He was named the Big Eight Player of the Week for posting a career-high 17 tackles in a 34–13 win over the Missouri Tigers.[3] Overall during the 1983 season, Knox totaled 64 solo tackles, 61 assisted tackles, one sack, six pass breakups, and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.[3] His 125 tackles were the most on the team while his four interceptions were the most by an Nebraska linebacker since 1970.[3] He was named first-team All-Big Eight by both the Associated Press and United Press International.[5][6]
Knox suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 1984 spring game.[3][7] He became a team captain as a senior in 1985.[3][8] He was second on the team in tackles with 65, totaling 29 solo tackles, 36 assisted tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and three pass breakups.[3]
Knox also wrestled for the Cornhuskers.[3] He finished third in the Big Eight Championships, which qualified him for the 1983 NCAA Championships.[3] He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2004.[3]
Professional career
Knox signed with the Houston Oilers on May 13, 1986, after going undrafted in the 1986 NFL draft.[4] He was released on August 18, 1986.[4] He signed with Houston again on May 12, 1987.[4] Knox was waived in July 1987 after failing a physical.[9]
On September 23, 1987, Knox signed with the Denver Broncos during the 1987 NFL players strike.[4] He played in all three strike games for the Broncos.[1] He was released on October 19, 1987, after the strike ended.[4]
Knox signed with the Indianapolis Colts on May 2, 1988, but was later released on August 29, 1988.[4]