Rutgers wrestling inmate Anthony Knox Jr. and his father were sentenced in Collingswood Municipal Court for their roles in a fight last February in which Knox Jr. and his father stormed into the stands, sparking scenes of violence among game spectators.
The father and son were originally charged with simple assault with intent/intention to cause bodily harm because the father and son were seen as the culprits of the violence.
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NJ.com reported Wednesday that Knox Jr. pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and Knox Sr. pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Judge Brian Herman said Knox Jr. will have to serve one year of probation. The charges will be dismissed if Knox Jr. complies with the terms of his probation. If he fails to do so, he will face the original charges.
According to multiple interviews with Knox’s family, the incident occurred when some in the crowd heckled Knox Jr. and his teammates. In an interview, Knox Sr. claimed they cursed his son and wife while yelling racial slurs. This prompted Knox Sr. to confront the heckler. That’s when he claims the heckler attacked him. According to Knox Jr., that’s why he felt the need to run into the stands and help his father.
When family members were asked where the instigator was from, both Knox Sr. and Debra Knox said West Deptford. Witnesses and the West Deptford School District dispute the allegations.
The Collingswood police officer who filed a complaint against Knox Jr. claimed he saw him punch a minor repeatedly in the face, causing an injury to his right temple. He also claimed that he saw Knox Sr. multiple times trying to kick and stomp on a spectator who was lying on the floor.
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Knox Jr. was initially disqualified from competing, but a temporary restraining order from a judge allowed him to resume competing. That year he would win his fourth state championship in four years. He is only the fifth player ever from New Jersey to do that. The only two other wrestlers to achieve this feat are Rutgers legends Anthony Ashnow and Nick Suriano, who both became national champions in their respective weight classes while at Rutgers.
Knox Jr. originally committed to wrestling at Cornell University, but Rutgers changed his commitment a few weeks ago. The Cavaliers didn’t stop him from signing Knox, the No. 1 126-pound wrestler in the country for the 2025 season, despite the controversy and negativity surrounding his name.
According to an interview with NJ.com, Rutgers wrestling coach Scott Goodell is not concerned about adding Knox to the team.
“I’ve talked to certain people. I don’t have any issues with bringing Anthony into our program. We’ve discussed the process that we’re going through as an athletic department, but there’s no real concern on our end.”
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According to NJ.com, Knox Jr. signed a deal with Rutgers University that will reportedly earn him about $200,000 per year in zero pay on top of a scholarship. Goodell said he will begin his tenure at Rutgers in June.