Sask. Roughrider Joe McKnight shot dead in Louisiana suburb

An alleged incident of road rage in the United States has left Saskatchewan Roughriders Running Back Joe McKnight dead.

According to The Times-Picayune in Louisiana, it happened Thursday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. local time in Terrytown, a suburb southeast of New Orleans. He was identified by family members.

A witness told The Times-Picayune that she was leaving a store when she saw a man in an intersection yelling at another man, who was trying to apologize. The man yelling shot at the other man several times.

The woman says the shooter stood over McKnight and said, “I told you don’t you f— with me.” Then he fired again.

Reports are police have a 54-year-old male in custody.

McNight, 28, was born in Kenner, La. and was a local high school football star. He was highly sought after by several colleges including Louisiana State University and the University of Southern California, where he eventually played. The media labeled him as the next Reggie Bush. In 2008, he had a stand out performance in the Rose Bowl with 36 yards on punt returns, 45 receiving yards, 125 rushing yards and a touchdown.

He spent three years in the NFL, but was cut by the New York Jets in 2013. He spent a year away from football before he signed with Kansas City. While paying for the Chiefs, he tore his Achilles tendon.

After a year of rehab, McKnight signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2016 but was released for fumbling issues. The Riders signed him shortly after.

McKnight started in place of the injured Curtis Steele in October and made his mark early, rushing for 150 yards in about three quarters of play. He ended the season on the injured list after suffering a concussion. The Green Zone’s Arielle Zerr did a feature on McKnight after his debut.

“We are shocked to hear the news of Joe’s sudden passing,” Riders Vice-President of Football Operations, General Manager, and Head Coach Chris Jones said in a press release. “We send our deepest sympathies to Joe’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragedy.”

It is with deep sorrow that we have learned of the devastating news of the loss of Saskatchewan Roughriders player, Joe McKnight. pic.twitter.com/x7Q8zBr1iL

— Sask. Roughriders (@sskroughriders) December 2, 2016

“We are saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Joe McKnight,” Riders CEO Craig Reynolds said in a press release. “Losing a member of our Rider family this way is an unthinkable occurrence. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s family, teammates and coaches.” 

People who knew McKnight are reacting on Twitter:

Crazy man…R.I.P. Joe!

— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) December 1, 2016

What is happening in this world? People taken so young, here one day, gone the next. RIP Joe….

— Spencer Moore (@spencermoore80) December 1, 2016

Crazy thing is he was joking about wanting to stay up here in Regina/Canada because he enjoyed how chill and peaceful it was…

— Spencer Moore (@spencermoore80) December 1, 2016

Rest in peace, Joe McKnight.

Our thoughts and condolences are with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/vtEihPomt9

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 1, 2016

RIP my brother Joe McKnight this one hurts bad

— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) December 1, 2016