BRADY HENDERSON

Pete Carroll mourns death of Joe McKnight, whom he once coached and recently tried to help

Dec 2, 2016, 9:10 PM | Updated: 9:14 pm

RENTON – Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he was hit hard by the news that former USC and NFL running back Joe McKnight was killed Thursday. Carroll coached McKnight in college and had spoken with him recently in an attempt to lend some help. He wished he could have done something to change the course of events that led McKnight back to a New Orleans suburb, where he was fatally shot during what is believed to be a road rage incident. He was 28.

“I talked to Joey about three weeks ago trying to help him with something and I just felt terrible with this news that I wasn’t able to do something that might have kept him in California. He was in Pasadena at the time,” Carroll said Friday. “This personally hit me that I wasn’t able to do something that might have made a difference to keep him away from where he was.

“I know a couple of the other guys that I heard from were also working with Joe and doing some stuff with him to trying to help him with a job and things like that that he was looking forward to and just none of us were able to pull it off. So I just feel a little extra connection to it.”

Carroll recruited McKnight to USC out of River Ridge, La., another New Orleans suburb, where he was considered the nation’s No. 1 prep running back. Carroll coached him from 2007 to 2009, before both left for the NFL. McKnight was a fourth-round pick by the Jets in 1010 and spent three seasons with the team before he was cut in 2013. He played in two games with the Chiefs in 2014 and spent the past CFL season with Edmonton and Saskatchewan. That ended last month.

According to the Associated Press, authorities said a 54-year-old man shot McKnight three times in the suburb of Terrytown after what witnesses described as a heated argument. The shooter, Ronald Gasser, was released overnight without being charged.

Carroll called McKnight’s death a “real tragedy.”

“He was a very special kid and he had some special difficulties coming along growing up and all that we all knew about it, and we just regarded the guy that he was, knowing the course that he went, he had to travel,” Carroll said. “And so for … us to lose Joe, it just hurts everybody. I talked to a lot of people and heard from all kinds of people and everybody felt exactly the same. They just felt so bad because he had a great heart, he was a great kid, he was fun to be around, fun-loving.

“But you just knew he had a lot of stuff to overcome and he was making it and he was overcoming stuff and he had a bit of a pro career and all that. And unfortunately this happened, so we’re going to miss him greatly. We’ll miss him greatly.”

Brady Henderson

Rees Odhiambo, a 2016 third-round pick, will compete with Matt Tobin to start at left tackle. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Tom Cable: Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin are Seahawks’ preferred LT options

Tom Cable brought a bit of clarity to the Seahawks' plans at left tackle in the wake of George Fant's season-ending knee injury, saying Tuesday that Rees Odhiambo and newcomer Matt Tobin are the top two options.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks injury updates: George Fant set for surgery, K.J. Wright returns

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday that left tackle George Fant is expected to be back by next season from the knee injury that will sideline him in 2017.

7 years ago

Matt Tobin, 27, started 21 games over seasons with the Eagles. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks acquire OL Matt Tobin in trade with Eagles

The Seahawks have acquired offensive tackle Matt Tobin in a trade with the Eagles, making another move to shore up their offensive line after losing left tackle George Fant for the season.

7 years ago

Luke Joeckel played left tackle for his first three NFL seasons. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Luke Joeckel? Rees Odhiambo? A look at the Seahawks’ LT options with George Fant out for the season

The Seahawks need a new plan at left tackle with George Fant out for the season. Moving Luke Joeckel there is one option, writes Brady Henderson.

7 years ago

Michael Bennett on Justin Britt standing by his side during the national anthem Friday night: “I ...

Brady Henderson

Justin Britt stands by Michael Bennett during national anthem: ‘A very emotional moment’

Seahawks center Justin Britt showed his support for teammate Michael Bennett Friday night, standing by him as Bennett remained seated during the national anthem.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks’ George Fant needs ACL surgery, likely out for season

The Seahawks' offensive line was dealt a massive blow with left tackle George Fant suffering a knee injury Friday night that will likely keep him out all season.

7 years ago

Pete Carroll mourns death of Joe McKnight, whom he once coached and recently tried to help