Sign up for the battlefordsNOW newsletter

Louisiana sports writer remembers ‘fun-loving kid’ Joe McKnight

Dec 6, 2016 | 7:35 AM

People in Louisiana are remembering Joe McKnight following his death.

McKnight was a standout talent on offense and defense at John Curtis Christian School, a high school in River Ridge, La.

Jim Derry, a sports writer with the Times-Picayune, covered McKnight while he played football as a teenager.

“People would come to games just to see Joe McKnight play and he was a very well-known name throughout his time here,” Derry said. “He was just a fun-loving kid and the other kids on the team kind of flocked to him.”

Derry said the incident has caused some tension in the city, especially when Gasser was released from police custody. He also said a lot of people were in shock when the incident happened.

“Joe McKnight was a great human being. He was a fun guy to be around.”

The Saskatchewan Roughriders running back was shot to deathon Dec. 1 after an alleged road rage incident. Police said the shooter, 54-year-old Ronald Gasser, shot McKnight three times while inside his vehicle.

The investigation into McKnight’s death is ongoing and no official charges have been laid.

 

BGray@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @BrittonGray