His father, Sam Sr., played on a California state championship basketball team at Riverside (Calif.) Community College in the early 1960s that was coached by Jerry Tarkanian.
[3] Throughout training camp, Knight competed to be the starting strong safety against Je'Rod Cherry, Vashone Adams, and rookie Rob Kelly.
Knight made his first career interception off a pass by Giants' quarterback Dave Brown, that was originally intended for wide receiver Kevin Alexander, and returned it for a 32-yard gain in the third quarter.
[5] On September 30, 1997, the New Orleans Saints released Vashone Adams after Knight surpassed him on the depth chart and became the starting strong safety.
[8] On February 18, 1998, the New Orleans Saints offered Knight a one-year restricted free agent contract tender to remain with the team.
Head coach Mike Ditka named Knight the starter to begin the season, alongside strong safety Chad Cota.
On November 8, 1998, Knight made three tackles, two interceptions, and scored his first career touchdown during a 31–24 loss at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10.
[10] In Week 16, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown in the Saints 19–17 loss at the Arizona Cardinals.
Knight intercepted a pass by Cardinals' quarterback Jake Plummer, that was intended for wide receiver Frank Sanders, and returned it for a 32-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
[17] He started in the New Orleans Saints' season-opener against the Detroit Lions and collected a season-high ten combined tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown in their 14–10 loss.
Knight intercepted a pass by Lions quarterback Stoney Case, that was originally intended for tight end David Sloan, and returned it for a 37-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Knight had a strip/sack on Panthers' quarterback Steve Beuerlein and it was recovered and returned for a 90-yard touchdown by teammate Keith Mitchell in the third quarter.
[23] He started in the New Orleans Saints' season-opener at the Buffalo Bills and recorded three combined tackles, deflected three passes, and made a career-high three interceptions in their 24–6 victory.
In Week 15, he collected a career-high 17 combined tackles (12 solo) and deflected a pass in the Saints' 43–21 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
[28] In Week 3, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (ten solo), deflected a pass, and made an interception during a 29–23 win at the Chicago Bears.
On December 29, 2002, Knight recorded nine combined tackles, broke up two passes, and made a season-high two interceptions in the Saints' 10–6 loss at the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
[36] On October 16, 2005, Knight recorded five combined tackles, deflected a pass, and returned a fumble for a touchdown during a 28–21 victory against the Washington Redskins in Week 6.
Knight recovered a fumble after teammate Carlos Hall stripped the ball from Redskins' running back Rock Cartwright.
On December 31, 2005, Kansas City Chiefs' head coach Dick Vermeil announced his decision to retire at the conclusion of the 2005 NFL season.
[26] On January 7, 2006, the Kansas City Chiefs hired Herman Edwards as their new head coach after reaching a trade agreement with his previous team, the New York Jets.
On January 5, 2008, Knight recorded 13 combined tackles (ten solo) during a 31–29 victory at the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wildcard Game.
[46] Head coach Tom Coughlin named Knight the backup strong safety to begin the regular season, behind Michael Johnson.