Kirby Smart admits mistake calling Jake Pope an ‘idiot’ for celebrating with Ole Miss fans

When first asked about video appearing to show Jake Pope celebrating with Ole Miss fans after the Rebels defeated Georgia, Kirby Smart called him an “idiot” in a press conference. Tuesday evening, Smart admitted it was a mistake to do so and praised the way Pope handled the situation with his teammates.

Video surfaced after Ole Miss fans rushed the field following the 28-10 victory at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, showing Pope jumping up and down with two fans while leaving the field. He later apologized and clarified what happened, saying they were family friends who he didn’t expect to see.

Smart said Pope addressed the Georgia team, but admitted he could’ve handled things differently in the press conference. Based on what Pope said to the team, Smart added he thinks he learned his lesson.

“I don’t like to comment on the internal stuff going on inside. He did talk to the team, did a great job,” Smart said. “I’ll say, I should not have called the kid an idiot. That was a mistake by me. I appreciate Jake. He’s a great iid. He works really hard. He’s a team player. I think he knows it was an emotional mistake, and he told the team that. Appreciate the way he handled it.”

Jake Pope transferred to Georgia this offseason after spending two seasons at Alabama. Since his arrival, he has only played in three games for the Bulldogs this season. In his message, Pope explained why the two fans were wearing gear featuring Reece McIntyre, explaining they played high school football together.

“I wanted to address the videos that have been put out after the Ole Miss game,” Pope wrote. “First and for most I want to say sorry for the way it was taken out of perspective and has caused distractions/commotion for my teammates and coaches. This is not representative of who I am in any way. In no way, shape or form would I ever celebrate a loss in this program and anyone who knows me well knows that.

“My long time family friends had came up to me unexpectedly after the game as I was trying to get off the field to safety and were extremely excited to see me after the game. I was also surprised to see them as well and that’s why you saw the reaction that I gave via the video.”