UGA coach Kirby Smart apologized Tuesday for calling backup safety Jake Pope an “idiot” over a viral video where Pope appeared to celebrate with Ole Miss fans after Georgia’s loss to the Rebels last week. Smart expressed regret for his choice of words, acknowledging that Pope handled the situation respectfully with his teammates.
🎥 What Happened: Following Georgia’s 28-10 defeat at Ole Miss, a video showed Pope smiling and jumping with fans, sparking backlash. Some Georgia fans felt betrayed, interpreting the interaction as Pope celebrating with the opposing team. Pope later clarified he was reacting to seeing friends from his hometown who were on the field.
• Pope, from Buford, explained that he was surprised to see friends, including one wearing an Ole Miss jersey, who were excited to see him postgame.
• Pope addressed the team and fans in an apology, assuring them of his commitment to Georgia, describing his reaction as misunderstood and apologizing for the optics.
💬 Between the Lines: Pope transferred from Alabama and has seen limited playtime in three games this season.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
