Bears' Johnny Knox No Jackass
MTV Jackass Johnny Knoxville made a name for himself shocking fans with his outrageous daredevil stunts. Bears rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox is beginning to get recognized for some impressive tricks of his own.
While fans aren't likely to see the 23-year-old Knox catch anacondas with his bare hands or run through a herd of charging bulls, his solid hands have earned him touchdowns on offense and his dangerous runs through enemy lines have earned him the honor of NFC special teams player of the month for October.
Knox, a fifth-round draft pick out of Abilene Christian, ranks third in the NFL with a 29.0-yard average in his 18 kickoff returns. He's one of just four active NFL players to have returned more than one kickoff for 50-plus yards.
October 4 against the Detroit Lions, Knox dazzled the Soldier Field
crowd with a 102-yard kick return touchdown. The return was the second
longest in franchise history, second only to a Gale Sayers' 103-yard
return in 1967.
The last time a Bears rookie made waves for
his record-breaking returns, he ran the team all the way to the Super
Bowl. That man, Devin Hester, has transitioned into a full-time wide
receiver, handling just punt returns and leaving kickoff returns to the
new kid.
When Knox stepped into the role, he had some tough
shoes to fill. But now, just six games into his first season, he's
already beginning to get the "Hester Treatment" when he steps back to
receive a kick. The crowd, expecting and hoping for some magic, holds
its collective breath before he takes off for the opposite end zone.
And
just like Hester's rookie season, this year's Bears can use all the
special teams help they can get. With a struggling offensive line and a
young receiving corps (Knox has already established himself as the
team's No. 2 wideout), the Chicago Bears can't depend on Jay Cutler's
arm alone. Good field position and the occasional one-and-done return
TD will do wonders for a team struggling to find its way.
Knox is no jackass, but Chicago fans are sure loving his stunts.
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