Terrance Knighton

Knighton earned the nickname Pot Roast when former Jaguars linebacker Clint Ingram overheard Knighton’s meal order on a road trip. He has been childhood friends with Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Chris Baker since high school, where the two of them were teammates. The two would be teammates again for one season in their professional careers when Knighton signed with the Redskins in 2015. Knighton also served as Baker's best man in his wedding to ESPN talent producer, Jamila Phillips.

On April 12, 2017, Knighton announced his retirement from the NFL to pursue a career in coaching.

On March 31, 2016, Knighton signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the New England Patriots. Knighton was released on August 29, 2016.

On March 12, 2015, Knighton signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Washington Redskins. He played in 15 games for the Redskins in 2015.

When the Broncos signed DeMarcus Ware in March 2014, Knighton changed his jersey number from 94 to 98 in order for Ware to have it. Ware previously wore number 94 for nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

On March 13, 2013, Knighton was signed to two-year contract by the Denver Broncos, where his former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio was the defensive coordinator at that time. In his first season with Denver, Knighton recorded 31 tackles, 3 sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception. In the AFC Championship Game, Knighton sacked Tom Brady on a crucial 4th down. His efforts helped the Broncos enter Super Bowl XLVIII, their first postseason finals game in almost 15 years, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks 43-8.

Knighton's career was placed in jeopardy by a serious injury to his eyeball in a bar incident on April 8, 2012. Knighton was able to recover from the incident however, and returned to the field wearing a dark visor at all times.

On November 16, 2012, Knighton was fined $21,000 for a late hit against the Indianapolis Colts on Week 10.

Knighton was signed by the Jaguars to a four-year contract on July 31, 2009. His contract, which includes veteran minimum salaries, plus a fourth-year escalator to $1.3 million, could reach nearly $3.32 million. He also received a signing bonus of $843,500. At the end of the 2009 season, Coach Jack Del Rio said, "Terrance Knighton is going to be a real good player. It wasn't an accident before the game that he was made a team captain for the game. I'm counting on him to lead the way."

In 2009, he visited the NFL-YET center in Jacksonville with teammates Cecil Newton and Julius Williams to sign autographs and provide Thanksgiving dinner for 30 families.

A team captain as a senior in 2008, Knighton finished the season with 54 tackles, including 35 solos, five break-ups, a team-best three fumble recoveries, a hurry, and blocked kick, and a sack. He became Temple's first First Team All-MAC honoree in school history.

In 2004, he attended Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York, where he again played on both sides of the ball. He made 70 tackles and six sacks in 2004.

Knighton attended Windsor High School in Connecticut, where he played both tight end and defensive line, and was teammates with Chris Baker. He earned All-State honors from the coaches association and Hartford Courant All-Area accolades in 2003. He was also a basketball varsity member, earning All-CCC West League honors.

Terrance O'Neil Knighton (born July 4, 1986) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft after playing college football at Temple. Knighton is nicknamed "Pot Roast" and "Mutton Chop" by his teammates. He has also played for the Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins and spent time with the New England Patriots prior to the 2016 NFL season. Knighton is currently a defensive assistant coach at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY.

Despite an up-and-down career, Knighton's draft stock had risen quickly after strong workouts. He was selected in the third round (72nd overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars, which was considered a "gamble" or a "reach" by most commentators. Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline described Knighton as "an athletic defensive tackle who struggles with weight issue", and who "has too much downside for a mid-third-round choice".