Luke Knox, brother of Buffalo Bills’ Dawson Knox, dies at 22: ‘He had passion for football’

Knox, a Brentwood, Tennessee, native who spent his first four collegiate seasons at the University of Mississippi, transferred to FIU prior to the 2022 college football season. Mike MacIntyre, the head coach of FIU, said in a statement that he was devastated by the passing of the young star. MacIntyre previously coached Knox while serving as the defensive coordinator at Ole Miss. MacIntyre said, "While I admired his passion for football, his genuine love for his family and teammates is what I will always remember. He had a special way of making everyone around him feel comfortable and confident. Luke's family is special to me, and they will continually be in my heart and in my prayers during this difficult time. On behalf of the entire FIU football family, I extend sincere condolences to Luke's family and all who love him." 

Like Knox, his older brother Dawson also played at Ole Miss from 2016-18 and has since emerged as a star tight end for the Bills. The duo played one season together at Ole Miss before Dawson decided to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Bills' coach Sean McDermott also expressed his condolences by saying, "Our hearts go out to Dawson and his family during this time. We're right there with him and supporting him and his family and just tragic news that I woke up to this morning. We love him and we support him and just unfortunate news this morning."

Just a few weeks before his death, Knox sent his FIU teammates and loved ones a number of photos from his trip to Miami. Knox wrote, "Live in Miami andddd play some ball?! Yaa we’ll take that. Thank you Lord for blessing me. You always know what’s best! Month one down in Miami. (Pretty much fluent in Spanish now)." The photos featured footage of Knox and his colleagues having a good time in Miami's nightlife as well as his fishing trip on a Florida lake.