bring down/knock down

Gene93Can we use knock down instead of bring down in this sentence: "Johnson was brought down by an aggressive tackle just a few feet from the goal!"?

Not really. It is inappropriate to the sport.

Gene93Knocking someone down would involve hitting them,wouldn't it?

Probably.

Thank you, Mr. Micawber. The first thing that came to me was the boxing term "knockdown" which does involve punching the opponent. A person can also be knocked down by a vehicle which involves hitting or pushing. What do you think? Excuse me if I am wrong.

I think that you are able to use both interchangeably. They both get the same point across though KNOCK DOWN sounds more aggressiveband.

Juan H. Lara-RuizI think that you are able to use both interchangeably.

I agree with Mr M that it is not really appropriate to speak of someone being knocked down by a tackle in football.

Juan H. Lara-Ruizaaggressiveband.

I take it that the 'band' was a slip.

Gene93The first thing that came to me was the boxing term "knockdown" which does involve punching the opponent. A person can also be knocked down by a vehicle which involves hitting or pushing. What do you think?

Those are both right.

If someone shouldered me, for example, and I fell to the ground, would that count as "knocking me down"?

Yes.