VSU Standout Athlete Has Monticello Roots
Many Monticelloans may recognize Chris Pope as that nice, quiet but statuesque young man that hangs out at his mom and grandparents’ home when on break from college. Oh but he so much more and he’s going places.
Chris, a senior linebacker for the Valdosta State University Blazers football team, was awarded first team honors to the All Gulf South Conference (GSC)—an honor more than earned as he is now listed as the GSC’s all-time leader in tackles after finishing his college football career with 372.
In acquiring the conference record, Chris surpassed some other notable former VSU footballers in the school’s record books. Jesse Tuggle, former Atlanta Falcon All-Pro and Larry Dean, current Minnesota Viking, had their VSU tackle records surpassed by Pope this season when he racked up 92 tackles including six for a loss.
He is the 47th player in GSC history to be named to the first team in the GSC for a third time.
By all accounts, according to his stats, on the field he’s a beast, but in person Chris is a lion with a kitten’s touch. His deep bravado speaking tone makes “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” sound stern but serene.
Being a “big man” on the field and respected in the locker room, he doesn’t walk around with that “all eyes on me” attitude that can often be associated with talented athletes headed for big things in the future. After all, one of his biggest if not the biggest fan is his grandmother, Arlene Pope of Monticello.
“He’s a sweet kid. Real polite. He’s good about doing what he says he’s going to do,” said Mrs. Pope.
Grandmother Pope should know. She and her late husband, Lynwood, had a hand in raising him. Born to Miriam Pope in 1991, a young Chris spent his preschool and elementary years with his grandparents.
“He played recreation football and baseball here in Jasper County. We noticed he was always bigger than the other kids,” said his grandmother.
Although Chris may have been a graduate of Jackson High School and helped bring that team a region championship, his roots are in Jasper County where he had his first organized sports experience.
As a senior at VSU, he’s not just focused on football which has afforded him the opportunity to play and study while on full scholarship. Chris is a psychology major who will earn his degree next year.
Though Chris is a talented athlete with a future of football possibilities there’s no banking on that. If he enters the pros and has a football career—great, but there is life after football and he wants to be prepared. After all, he has young Kellan to care for.
Kellan is his five-year old son that lives in Flovilla. The now 22 year-old Chris became a young father at age 17 just as he was about to embark on college.
“His future depends on my future and I’m not going to let myself down or him. He’s my motivator,” said Chris.
Chris and his “mini-me” gets lots of quality time together when possible. It includes everything from throwing the football, of course, riding the four-wheeler, and napping together.
After a week at home with family to celebrate Thanksgiving, Chris returned to Valdosta Saturday to prepare for finals.
“It’s good to have time off and refresh but I’ve always got my mind and my eyes on the prize.”
If this is the first you have heard of Chris Pope, I guarantee it won’t be the last. As the combine and draft approaches next year, anticipate good things from this young man of character.