Joseph "Joey" Knight

Joey was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Fla. He was a fourth-generation Floridian who resided in Zephyrhills, Fla. for most of his life. He passed away after a long but graceful battle with cancer, at his home in Zephyrhills surrounded by his family. 

Joey was a 1986 graduate of Zephyrhills High School and attended Troy State University, where he graduated with a journalism degree. 

Joey was gainfully employed for 35 surreal years as a sports journalist in the tumultuous, tenuous industry of newspapers and never laid off. 

Joey started his career at the Tampa Tribune, where he remained for 15 years serving as a prep reporter, then as the University of Florida beat writer. 

Joey spent the remaining 20 years at the Tampa Bay Times, where he worked until his final days. He was the University of South Florida beat writer but also covered the Buccaneers, Rays, Lightning and various high school sports. 

Joey's most fulfilling time was sharing his love of the high school sports scene, chronicling the grassroots of the Tampa Bay area. His highlights included starring in and producing Friday Night Rewind with John Cotey and witnessing the end of Brandon High School's national dual-match wrestling win streak. 

His most enjoyable events were his coverage of four Super Bowls, two Final Fours, the Women's Final Four, MLB playoffs, numerous college football title games and conference championships, the College World Series and the Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Joey wanted others to know that he was an imperfect servant of the Lord who loved his family and tried to honor God with his life. 

He is survived by his three children: Hannah Leigh Knight-Greene and her husband, Cully Greene; Katelyn Knight; and Joseph Lee Knight, Jr.; his parents, Alan Knight and Karen Knight; his final love, Amanda Massey Schummer; Kelli Knight, caregiver in the final months; his sister, Lisa Floyd, and her husband Larry Floyd; niece Lily Floyd; and nephews Levi Floyd and Luke Floyd. 

The services will begin, Saturday, Feb. 28 with a visitation at 10 a.m. and the service following at 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church (38300 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, Fla.). In lieu of flowers, Joey would like donations made to H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. https://www.moffitt.org/give/