Devin Knox considers himself a wealthy person.
“Every day, I feel like I’m walking around with one of those big checks for a hundred thousand dollars,” said Knox, a member of AFSCME Local 1805 (Council 31).
But it’s not money that Knox is talking about. His wealth comes from the fact that he’s able to give back to so many people.
Knox, a human services caseworker in Carlisle, Illinois, had a rough life as a kid. Raised by a single mom, he said that he grew up poor, lacking a positive male role model at home.
He looked to his sports coaches as role models. He learned from them – mostly good things, he says, but also, sometimes, what not to do.
In high school, Knox hadn’t planned to go to college but was encouraged by teachers to apply.
Using his talents as a football player, Knox attended Blackburn College, earning a slot as a defensive back and kick returner on the football team, where he holds several records.
“[In college], they asked me what I wanted to study,” recalls Knox. “I was interested in sports and kids. I’m an uncle and I always connected with kids. I studied coaching and teaching. That’s how my aspirations started. I liked everything about it.”
That desire to give back, to help others, has driven Knox both in his day job as a caseworker at the Marion County Family Community Resource Center, providing families with medical and food benefits for the past 11 years.
But it’s also driven him as a football coach, where he’s imparted valuable lessons for kids over nearly 20 years, across many teams and leagues.
According to Keri Reid, who works with Knox, “Devin’s been a positive male role model for so many children that don't necessarily have that at home. He sacrifices his own time, money, and energy to make sure they get the best start in the sport that they can.”
Knox’s contributions go well beyond the gridiron.
Reid says that at work, “The customers love him. With his tone and demeanor, people can see that he just wants to help them.”
Knox says, “I provide people with resources and guidance. Sometimes, I’m just someone they can talk to. I feel like a therapist most days. I try to be a positive light in a crazy dark world we live in.”
Occasionally, Knox’s football world and work world come together.
“A lot of my players’ parents come to me for advice for public aid,” says Knox.
Knox recalls one instance where he had a heated exchange with the father of one of his players at a football tournament. Later, that same father showed up at Knox’s work – he needed help applying for public aid, and Knox was assigned to be his caseworker.
Grudges were set aside and Knox did what he did best: he helped his players’ dad apply for benefits that he needed.
“I value these relationships and experiences,” he says. “It’s been God’s gift to me. I’ve been using it to fulfill my purpose and to help others. I’m just an advocate for helping people to create a better life for themselves.”