Luke Knox, a football player for Florida International University and the younger brother of Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox, passed away on Thursday, the school’s athletics department announced. He had 22 years on him.
Knox’s cause of death was not disclosed by the institution, although it did express sympathy and support for the player’s teammates, family, and friends.
Mike MacIntyre, head coach at FIU, recalled Knox as a kind and dedicated teammate, noting that while he was impressed by Knox’s love of the game, “what I will always remember is his real love for his family and teammates.”
“He had a unique talent for putting everyone around him at ease and in control. I hold Luke’s family in high regard, and throughout this trying time I will continue to think about them and pray for them “Added MacIntyre in a statement.
Knox spent four years at the University of Mississippi under MacIntyre’s tutelage before transferring to Florida International University.
Dawson Knox, Knox’s elder brother, played for Ole Miss before signing with the Bills in 2019. The Knox brothers are from Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott began a press conference Thursday by expressing condolences for the Knox family.
“Our hearts go out to Dawson and his family during this time, and we’re right there with him and supporting him and his family,” McDermott said. “Just tragic news that I woke up to this morning. We love him and we support him.”
Lane Kiffin, the University of Mississippi’s head football coach, also posted a tribute to Knox on Twitter.
“There are heavy hearts throughout our football team after the passing of Luke Knox,” it reads. “I am very grateful for my personal relationship and time spent with Luke. He was a tremendous teammate and an even better person who lifted up everyone around him.”
Coaches and support staff have been contacting our football family and will keep doing so to make sure our student-athletes get the assistance they require, according to a statement from FIU Athletics.
According to his profile on the FIU athletics website, Knox made a contribution to the University of Mississippi as a linebacker, a tight end, and on special teams. He made 11 tackles while playing in seven games for Ole Miss in 2021.
