Smart: Pope celebrating with Rebels ‘just foolish’

• Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterNov 11, 2024, 02:14 PM ET

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  • Senior college football writer
  • Author of 7 books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

Georgia coach Kirby Smart called backup safety Jake Pope’s actions “just stupid” after the player was captured relatively celebrating with Ole Miss fans on the field in the wake of the Rebels’ 28-10 victory over the then-No. 3 Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday.Smart, speaking

during a press conference Monday, informed reporters that Pope was celebrating with good friends from Buford High School in Georgia.

“What an idiot. I indicate, simply dumb,” Smart stated. “I didn’t see it till today, but he’s embarrassed about it. He’s upset about it. That’s obviously a childhood pal of his that he grew up and had fun with there at Buford and he understands him, had not seen him in forever, but simply not genuine wise.

“To be truthful with you, I do not have time to waste energy on that. My focus is on Tennessee. I’m not fretted about that.”

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The Bulldogs host Tennessee in what may be a CFP elimination game at Sanford Arena on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET/ABC, ESPN+).

Pope, who spent 2 seasons at Alabama before transferring to Georgia this year, asked forgiveness in a declaration published to X on Monday, saying he was “sorry for the way it was secured of viewpoint and has actually caused distractions/commotion for my teammates.”

“This is not representative of who I remain in any way,” Pope stated in the statement. “In no way, shape or type would I ever celebrate a loss in this program and anyone who knows me popular that. My veteran household good friends had come near me all of a sudden after the game as I was attempting to leave the field to safety and were extremely thrilled to see me after the game.

“I was likewise amazed to see them as well which’s why you saw the reaction that I provided via the video.”

Pope, who has actually played in 3 games for the Bulldogs, said he is “Georgia through thick and thin and have never ever enjoyed a group of guys more than the guys I go to battle with day in and day out.”

“Lastly, and once again, I’m sorry to my teammates, coaches, and fans all around about the way that video looked, and I choose to move forward and prepare for an excellent rest of the season with my siblings,” Pope said.Meanwhile, Smart stated that senior receiver Colbie Young would stay suspended till his legal case is solved. Young was jailed on Oct. 8 on misdemeanor charges of battery and assault of a coming child, according to Athens-Clarke County Jail records.On Wednesday, Young’s attorney, Kim Stephens, released an affidavit from the 20-year-old lady involved in the event, in which she retracted her initial statement to cops and asked for that all criminal charges against Young be dropped. The female said in the affidavit that the police report was” slanted and does not accurately portray what took place on Oct. 8. “”I did go to Colbie’s apartment late during the night to speak with him about our relationship and my pregnancy,”

the woman stated in the affidavit.”Colbie asked me to leave more than when while I existed. I did not leave till I ended up being upset with him and did not believe our discussion was efficient.” Colbie did not position his hands on me in any way throughout the conversation and argument that was improper or undesirable.

He did not strike me. He did not push me. He did not trigger any bruising or marks on me. He did not hurt me in any way. “The female stated she asked the Athens-Clarke County solicitor general’s office on Oct. 14 to dismiss the charges versus Young.”The legal process has actually got to play itself out,”Smart said.”Look, we wish to support Kobe where we can. We’ll continue to supply him with access

to our facilities and assistance resources we have, whether that’s [the scholastic center], the training space, psychological health, weight room. But the legal procedure has to play itself out before we can do anything. “Young’s arraignment is set up for Dec. 10.