The Knott name will always be synonomous with terms such as toughness, grit and sacrifice.
Sometimes enough is enough, though. Life calls and pain becomes so persistent that an internal struggle ensued.
That’s what Iowa State linebacker LukeKnott has endured for years — and finally he’s decided to put football to pasture.
ISU announced today that because of ongoing hip issues, a spring graduation and a promising job offer, Knott will forgo his final season of eligibility as a Cyclone.
"Obviously, I thought about this a lot," Knott said in a statement. "Two years ago when I had my first hip surgery, my first thought was, ‘I’m a 19-year-old kid and I am having hip surgery?’ I made the decision to take it head on, go through rehabilitation and keep playing football. Then I had hip surgery again a year later. That was the first time I thought that football may not be in the best interest for me. I didn’t want to give up football because I didn’t want to walk away from my teammates. I barely made it through last season. You can tell when you watch the film. This is an exciting time for Iowa State and I wanted to be a part something special next year. However, going through the initial workouts, I just didn’t have it in my hip. It’s time (to) start a different career. I have to start thinking long term. I want to be able to run around with my kids, and something like that puts it in perspective."
Read the rest of Knott’s comments below — as well a statement from ISU coach Matt Campbell.
The following is a news release courtesy of ISU Athletics Communications:
AMES — Iowa State senior linebacker Luke Knott has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility at Iowa State, Knott announced today.
Knott, who will graduate in the spring, cited the multiple hip surgeries he’s endured in his four seasons on the team and a job he already has lined up after graduation as reasons for leaving the team.
Knott started five games in his redshirt freshman in 2013 before a hip injury which required surgery ended his season after six games. He had hip surgery again a year later.
Knott was never 100 percent and dealt with hip issues for the rest of his career. His most productive season was in 2014 when he was third on the team in tackles with 74. He ended his career with 140 tackles.
Knott was a three-time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 honoree (2013, 2014, 2015).
Statement from Luke Knott
“Obviously, I thought about this a lot. Two years ago when I had my first hip surgery, my first thought was, ‘I’m a 19-year-old kid and I am having hip surgery?’ I made the decision to take it head on, go through rehabilitation and keep playing football. Then I had hip surgery again a year later. That was the first time I thought that football may not be in the best interest for me. I didn’t want to give up football because I didn’t want to walk away from my teammates. I barely made it through last season. You can tell when you watch the film. This is an exciting time for Iowa State and I wanted to be a part something special next year. However, going through the initial workouts, I just didn’t have it in my hip. It’s time (to) start a different career. I have to start thinking long term. I want to be able to run around with my kids, and something like that puts it in perspective. I want to thank Coach Campbell and his staff. They were really understanding and helped ease my mind. They knew my history. This coaching staff knows what they are doing. I told Coach Campbell that the hardest thing for me was to walk away now when I feel we are on the cusp of something great. I already have a job lined up in Kansas City after graduation. Coach Campbell told us to use college football to get a degree and a career, and I felt that I have done that. I want to thank all of my coaches, my teammates and the fans. I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time as a Cyclone.”
Statement from Iowa State Head Football Coach Matt Campbell
“I don’t know if anybody loves Iowa State football more than Luke Knott. Luke obviously comes from a great family and a great tradition at Iowa State. You just want to put your arms around a kid like Luke, because here is a guy who was straining and doing everything in his power to play, but his body wouldn’t allow him to play anymore. The thing that I appreciate more than anything is that he has already been a part of the culture change here. He was doing a tremendous job leading our program. I hope Luke stays around us. He’s a special young man and he’s already left a great legacy here at Iowa State because of his commitment to be the best.”
