Joey Knight, who covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, University of South Florida, Florida Gators, and countless other teams for the Tampa Bay Times and Tampa Tribune across more than three decades, died this morning. He was 57.<\/p>\n
Knight\u2019s family announced his passing on Facebook this morning. Knight had been battling cancer for several years while continuing to report on the teams and athletes he covered throughout his career. Despite his illness, he remained a regular presence at University of Florida press conferences and games during the 2025 football season.<\/p>\n
Joey Knight\u2019s family posted on FB that he passed away this morning. JK covered #Gators<\/a>, USF, Bucs and much more in his time at the Tampa Tribune and Tampa Bay Times. He was a regular at UF pressers and games this past season amidst cancer battle. RIP to a good soul.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/NJsTIkSTlm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Knight spent his entire career in Tampa Bay sports journalism. He worked for the Tampa Tribune until it ceased publication in 2016 after 123 years, then continued at the Tampa Bay Times. His beats covered the obvious \u2014Buccaneers, USF Bulls, Florida Gators, Rays \u2014 but also the games and events that defined Tampa Bay sports beyond the major programs. Friday night high school football in Bartow. The Gasparilla Distance Classic. Spring training games in Port Charlotte.<\/p>\n The work wasn\u2019t glamorous, but he kept showing up \u2014 filing stories about Brian Hartline being the highest-paid coach in USF program history<\/a> \u2014 even while battling cancer.<\/p>\n It would, unfortunately, be his final byline.<\/p>\n The news of Knight\u2019s death brought reactions from across Tampa Bay sports and beyond, from colleagues who worked alongside him for decades, coaches and team officials he covered, younger reporters he mentored, and national figures like Dick Vitale who knew him beyond the press box.<\/p>\n I\u2019m crushed learning about the passing of JOEY KNIGHT 57 who was so kind & helped me in raising $$$ for kids vs cancer thru \u2066@TheVFoundation<\/a>\u2069 .Joey loved chatting about the teams in our area. Joey served the Tampa area in a positive way May he RIP https:\/\/t.co\/RX3zadb5La<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n We are deeply saddened to hear of Joey\u2019s passing. Joey was a respected member of our local media who leaves behind a legacy built on professionalism and integrity. He understood the importance of creating strong relationships, and his always-pleasant demeanor was one of his most\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/X7pvSRRLn2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n You\u2019re going to see a lot of tributes for Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls<\/a>). They\u2019re all warranted. A really kind human and a beautiful storyteller. You felt his essence in every story he wrote. Not only did he never lose sight of the human element \u2013 it was always front and center. pic.twitter.com\/RWMPQoaSpM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Statement from head coach Joe Urso following the heartbreaking passing of longtime journalist Joey Knight. @TB_Times<\/a> \u2014 Tampa Baseball (@UTampaBaseball) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n As nice a man as you\u2019ll find, in our business or in any. I worked with Joey at the Times and our paths crossed constantly, always with a smile. I will remember him as a great friend, a proud father, a man of faith and an unabashed KISS fan. So sad to think he\u2019s gone. https:\/\/t.co\/0YWuGmH7OW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n It is a very sad morning. My friend Joey Knight from the Tampa Bay Times passed away. He was a very talented writer and reporter, but he was a better person. He bravely fought cancer the last few years and kept working throughout that battle. RIP my friend.<\/p>\n \u2014 Kelly Quinlan (@Kelly_Quinlan) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n What a gut punch. Joey was always so kind and gracious in a field that isn\u2019t always the case.<\/p>\n If he was interested in something I wrote he\u2019d always promote it and DM me with a compliment. He was so welcoming when I moved up Tampa Bay. Heartbroken for his family https:\/\/t.co\/HxOEChiZaL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Joey was my first mentor in this business. Our relationship began at The Tampa Tribune in 1994. I remember holding an umbrella over us at a rainy high school football game in Bartow while he taught me how to keep a box score with a printed sheet, pencil and clipboard.<\/p>\n He\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/yQrUPNrA64<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n I had the honor of being Joey\u2019s teammate for 13-plus years at the Tampa Bay Times. We knew this was coming, but I\u2019m still crushed. I want to share a few more things later today, but for now, I\u2019ll just kindly ask you to please keep his family and friends in your thoughts. https:\/\/t.co\/UOCPShCXGP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Matt Baker (@MattBakerCFB) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n This is devastating. I got to know Joey a ton during my time covering area high schools for Bright House Sports Network. Joey was kind, caring and an incredible reporter. My thoughts with everyone at the Times, Joey\u2019s family and our community \ud83d\udc94 https:\/\/t.co\/bMVpBS3FWf<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Been worried about this day for a while. We all knew the fight Joey Knight was fighting. He did it with great courage. A skilled writer, yes, but also a kind, fair, and honest person.<\/p>\n Saddened by the passing of @TBTimes_Bulls<\/a>. He told the story of @USFAthletics<\/a> and the local TB prep scene with passion, fairness and respect for the people behind the games. I will remember our countless conversations about the Bulls\u2026and classic rock music\u2026with fondness. Will\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Michael Kelly (@MKellyUSNA) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Rest well, my friend.<\/p>\n \u2014 Jim Louk (@USFjimlouk) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Damn\u2026.this one is tough.<\/p>\n RIP Joey Knight<\/p>\n No one covered @USFAthletics<\/a> like he did.<\/p>\n He was always so complimentary of my efforts to stay in this business & always had a \u201chey buddy\u201d every time I saw him<\/p>\n My thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones@TBTimes_Bulls<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jay Recher (@jayRecher) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.<\/p>\n \t
#TampaBaseball<\/a>\u26be\ufe0f #StandAsOne<\/a>\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/uXjEC9xQOZ<\/a><\/p>\n