ATHENS, Ga. — Backup safety Jake Pope of Georgia issued an apology on Monday following significant backlash regarding a video that appeared to show him celebrating on the field with Ole Miss fans after the Bulldogs were defeated 28-10 by the Rebels. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart expressed his disappointment over the incident, highlighting the inappropriateness of Pope’s actions.
Pope explained his reaction in a post on X, stating he was taken aback to encounter family friends from his hometown of Buford, Georgia, on the field. Among those friends was a person donning the jersey of Ole Miss player Reece McIntyre, also hailing from Buford. “They were really excited to see me after the game, and I was is equally surprised to see them,” Pope mentioned, which clarified the joyful response captured in the video.
The footage depicted a jubilant Pope bounding with delight alongside his friends. When the video came to the attention of Smart, he did not hold back in his criticism. “What an idiot. I mean just stupid. I didn’t see it until today, but he’s embarrassed about it. He’s upset about it,” Smart stated, adding that while Pope was reuniting with childhood acquaintances, his behavior was nonetheless unwise.
In the aftermath of the loss, Georgia’s ranking fell to No. 11 in the Associated Press Top 25, a significant drop of nine positions. The Bulldogs are set to host No. 6 Tennessee this Saturday. Shortly after Smart’s conference, Pope made his apology public.
“First and foremost, I want to apologize for how the situation has been misconstrued, causing disruptions for my teammates and coaches,” said Pope. “This does not reflect who I am in any way. I would never glorify a loss within our team, and anyone who truly knows me understands that.” The player transferred to Georgia from Alabama and has appeared in three games this season.
Pope noted that amid the post-game chaos, Ole Miss fans stormed the field, which added to the confusion surrounding his interaction with friends. “I was attempting to exit the field for safety when I unexpectedly came across my friends,” he explained. He further expressed his commitment to his team, stating, “I am Georgia through thick and thin and cherish the bond I have with the guys I compete with daily.” He reiterated his regret to the team, coaches, and fans for how the video was perceived.
In response to Pope’s misstep, Smart clarified his primary focus on the upcoming game against Tennessee, remarking, “To be honest with you, I don’t have time to waste energy on that. My focus is on Tennessee. I’m not worried about that.”