Court Orders SMU’s Theodore Knox to Pay $2.8M Judgment
A Texas court has ordered Theodore Knox, a former Southern Methodist University football player, to pay a judgment exceeding $2.8 million. This ruling follows a tragic street racing crash involving Knox and Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice in Dallas on March 30, 2024.
Court Ruling Details
Presiding Judge Kim Bailey Phipps declared Knox “grossly negligent” in the incident. The judgment was issued in a default ruling, indicating that Knox was absent during the proceedings and did not have legal representation. The court reached its decision based solely on written documents and evidence submitted earlier.
Compensation Awarded
The total ruling amounted to nearly $2.88 million awarded to Kathryn Kuykendall, one of the crash victims. This compensation includes:
- Punitive damages
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Non-economic damages
Marc Lenahan, Kuykendall’s attorney, expressed gratitude for the ruling, stating the default judgment was a matter of ethical responsibility. He expressed hope for Knox’s future rehabilitation.
Background of the Incident
The street racing incident involved high speeds, with Rice driving a rented Lamborghini Urus at 119 mph. Knox was behind the wheel of a rented black Corvette. Witnesses reported that following the crash, both drivers fled the scene without checking on the injured parties. Video footage captured the events as they unfolded.
Legal Consequences
- Rice later took responsibility and received a 30-day jail sentence along with five years of probation.
- Knox, in a plea agreement, faced similar sentencing consequences.
Following the crash, the NFL suspended Rice for six games due to violations of the league’s personal conduct policy. Knox was also suspended by SMU shortly after the incident.
Additional Lawsuits
Rashee Rice is now facing multiple legal challenges. He has an upcoming trial on June 9 related to the crash and is also involved in a separate lawsuit filed by Dacoda Jones. Jones alleges a series of assaults by Rice spanning from 2023 to 2025, including a choking incident in December 2023. Attempts to serve Rice with this lawsuit have been unsuccessful so far.
The fallout from this incident continues to develop, emphasizing the severe consequences of reckless driving and the responsibilities athletes hold as public figures.
