Knox College Athletics

It is a great honor to introduce Bob Prout, a 1973 graduate.  Bob is very possibly the most gifted athlete to every play football for Knox College.  His ability and skills were so superior that they laid the foundation for a successful career in the national Football League after his graduation.

Along with his exceptional football talents, he also earned two letters in baseball and was named to all Conference baseball team during his senior year.  In football, he received three varsity letters, set several defensive school records and was named to the All Conference squad twice.  Had the coaching staff not placed so much importance on defense at the time Bob played, Bob could have easily been the premier wide receiver in the Midwest Conference,  a position that would have resulted in even greater notoriety than he received.

In 1973, Bob became only the third graduate of Knox College to play professional football when he signed as a free agent with the Oakland raiders.  During his NFL career, he also played for the Dallas Cowboys and their New York Jets.  Most of his professional career he played the free safety position starting many games for both Oakland and new York.  In his last year with the Jets, Bob suffered a serious kidney injury in a pre-season game with the Giants, which ultimately led to the termination of his NFL career.

It  was a true pleasure and a rare honor to have been one of Bob’s coaches and for all those who were fortunate enough to see him play, he will remain “one of the best Knox ever had.”