Saskatchewan Roughriders remember Joe McKnight

While the funeral for Joe McKnight was taking place in New Orleans today, the Saskatchewan Roughriders held their own private memorial ceremony for the player they barely got to know.

McKnight, 28, was fatally shot Dec. 1 in an alleged road rage incident in a New Orleans suburb.

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While hundreds came out to pay their respects to McKnight at the main service in Louisiana, about 50 people, mostly Riders staff and a few players, gathered in the Green and White Lounge at Regina's Mosaic Stadium.

"I had one conversation with Joe, but I left that conversation with a lasting impression of who Joe was," said Pastor JaredLaCoste, the Riders' chaplain, during the service.

People were kind of drawn to him.- Spencer Moore, Saskatchewan Roughrider

McKnightplayed a few seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs before being signed by the Roughriders in September. He played in only three games but he made the most of his opportunities, rushing for 228 yards and 90 yards in receptions.

It would seem he made his biggest impression in the locker room.

"People were kind of drawn to him," said Spencer Moore, one of three players to attend the memorial in Regina.

"I had already known who Joe McKnight was;I knew how talented a player he was.I got to know him outside of football and kind of realized how good of a guy he was off the field as well."

McKnight was under contract with the Roughriders through 2017.

"He was only here for a couple months but I think everyone in the organization from the top down realized he was someone we wanted to have around us," said Moore.

At McKnight's service in New Orleans at New Home Ministries church, the Roughriders were represented by head coach and general manager Chris Jonesand John Murphy, assistant vice-president of football operations.

Ronald Gasser, 54, is accused of killing McKnight. Gasser was charged with manslaughter Dec. 6 after initially being released without charges after the incident.

Bond was set at $500,000 US for Gasser, but his attorney has asked a judge to reduce it. A hearing on the request is set for Dec. 21.