Sugar Bowl

John Curtis' Joe McKnight is one of the most versatile and spectacular athletes to ever play Louisiana high school football. McKnight scored 30 touchdowns in 2006: He averaged 15.5 yards a rush, 30.8 yards a reception. McKnight was named Parade Magazine National Co-Player of the year. He was a first team All USA today selection. He was also the Class 2A state most valuable player. He was selected as the Top Prep Athlete in the State of Louisiana by the Allstate Sugar Bowl's New Orleans Sports Awards Committee.

McKnight and the Patriots won the Class 2A state championship. A perfect 14-0 season included a win over the then top ranked team in the nation, Hoover, Ala. John Curtis Christian school finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today. McKnight signed a national letter of intent with the University of Southern California Trojans.

The New Orleans Sports Awards Committee began in 1957 when James Collins spearheaded a group of sports journalists to form a sports awards committee to immortalize local sports history. For 13 years, the committee honored local athletes each month. In 1970, the Sugar Bowl stepped in to sponsor and revitalize the committee, leading to the creation of the New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 1971, honoring 10 legends from the Crescent City in its first induction class. While adding the responsibility of selecting Hall of Famers, the committee has continued to recognize Sugar Bowl Athletes of the Month.

-www.AllstateSugarBowl.org-