Fred excelled at football and baseball at Army and Navy Academy. During his junior and senior years he was named co-captain of both teams and was named All League at tackle in football. When the time came to graduate from the Academy, Knauert was regarded as Outstanding in Academics and Athletics.
Fred attended Pomona College from 1961-1965 where he continued his football career as an offensive lineman. Although a car accident during the summer of his senior year left Knauert unable to play his senior year, he earned Division II All-Academic Honorable mention.
After graduating college in 1965, Knauert earned a tryout with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, but ultimately did not make the team. Instead, he went on to teach mathematics and science at the Army and Navy Academy until 1968.
During his later years Fred played rugby for the Old Mission Beach Athletics Club.
Fred died of a heart attack in 2000.