Dawson Knox
A sure-handed tight end who overcame being a college quarterback to become a vital and beloved red-zone weapon for the Buffalo Bills.
Born 1996 (age 30)·American football player·Birthday: November 14·Millennials
Biography
Dawson Knox's path to the NFL was anything but linear. At Ole Miss, he began as a walk-on quarterback before being converted to tight end, a position he hadn't played since high school. His raw athleticism and work ethic shone through, catching the eye of the Buffalo Bills, who drafted him in 2019. In Buffalo, he developed under quarterback Josh Allen into a cornerstone of one of the league's most explosive offenses. Known for his reliable hands and ability to make contested catches in critical moments, Knox became a fan favorite, his touchdowns often punctuated by the roaring cheers of Bills Mafia. His career is a testament to adaptability, proving that a player's ceiling is defined not by their starting point, but by their willingness to reinvent themselves for the team.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Dawson was born in 1996, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dawson Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Dawson's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2009Became a teenager
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Could drive
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2014Could vote
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Turned 21
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored a career-high nine receiving touchdowns in the 2021 NFL season, establishing himself as a premier red-zone threat.
- Caught the game-winning touchdown pass in Buffalo's dramatic 2021 playoff victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Signed a four-year contract extension with the Buffalo Bills in 2022, valued at over $50 million.
Did You Know?
He did not catch a single touchdown pass during his entire college career at Ole Miss.
His younger brother, Luke Knox, was also a college football linebacker before his tragic passing in 2022.
He and Bills quarterback Josh Allen often celebrate touchdowns by mimicking a photo of Allen's famous 'leap' over a defender.
“I walked on as a quarterback and had to learn a new position from scratch.”
