ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia’s head coach, Kirby Smart, reflected on his remarks made about backup safety Jake Pope, stating on Tuesday that he felt he went too far by designating Pope as an “idiot” after he was seen celebrating with Ole Miss fans following the Bulldogs’ recent defeat to the Rebels.
Pope had to face criticism after a video surfaced showing him seemingly reveling in the aftermath of Georgia’s 28-10 loss at Ole Miss. In response to inquiries about the video, Smart expressed disapproval, calling the incident “stupid” and noting that it caused Pope embarrassment and upset.
However, Smart later expressed regret over his choice of language, acknowledging his error in labeling Pope. He praised the young athlete for the way he addressed the situation with his teammates. “I shouldn’t have called the kid an idiot. That was a mistake on my part, but I do appreciate Jake,” Smart remarked. “He’s a solid individual who puts in a lot of effort and is a true team player. He recognized that it was an emotional lapse, which he communicated to the team effectively.”
In a post shared on X, Pope explained that the surprising presence of family friends on the field from his hometown of Buford, Georgia, caught him off guard. He described how he encountered friends, one of whom sported the jersey of Ole Miss player Reece McIntyre, also from Buford, and how their excitement contributed to his animated reaction. “They were genuinely thrilled to see me after the game. I was equally surprised, and that’s what led to my behavior captured in the video,” Pope elaborated.
The footage revealed Pope celebrating alongside his friends, which did not sit well with many Georgia supporters as it appeared he was partaking in the Ole Miss celebration following their significant victory.
Having transferred from Alabama, Pope has participated in three games this season. He reiterated his commitment to the Georgia program, saying, “I am Georgia through thick and thin and have never loved a group of guys more than my teammates. I sincerely apologize to my coaches, teammates, and fans for how that video came across.”
Following their loss, Georgia slipped nine places in the AP Top 25, now holding the No. 11 ranking. The Bulldogs are set to face off against No. 6 Tennessee on Saturday night in an important matchup.