Loading video...
Video Failed to Load
Don't like how I handled Mark Pope's comments today, full context was necessary for such a sensitive and fragile topic. It was irresponsible of me and fans deserve better than that. I'll be better. Pope's complete response:
198,960 views • 9 months ago •via X (Twitter)
35 Comments

Complete quote: "I think everybody has mental fatigue everywhere right now if you're putting your whole heart and soul into it, but that's our job to not let that have any impact on today or yesterday or tomorrow. One of the things I love about sports is it teaches you that you have to -- it doesn't matter how bad things get, you can't go back and rewrite what happened. You can just write the end of the story to make -- because history tells the story -- to make it something that it's not. Right now, it's like the worst moment, the lowest point, all the stuff, and it always does. This never goes away. It's always the next thing you do, that's actually going to rewrite what happened before. So there's no time for indulging and feeling terrible. I spend a lot of time feeling like I'd like to curl up in bed and kill myself, but that's actually not what we do. We raise up and we get to work and and we find answers. That's actually where the great part of life comes from, is answering the bell, when everybody thinks you can't do it, shouldn't do it, won't do it, aren't gonna do it. Most people are too scared to go there. We're not, right? I wish we weren't here right now, but it's where we are, so it's us rising up and doing it. There's no time, there's no hangover. That's not acceptable. It's not okay."

Bad on your part and for Matt Jones to do the same is pathetic. You guys showed your hand and that is to damage Pope in any way possible.

Jack trying to click bait like Matt and his buddies. Its sad this is what media has become. Anything for clicks. Its almost like yall know negativity brings more views than positivity so u just cant wait for anything to go wrong so u can get those analytics up. Journalism is dead. Especially UK media journalism. Its all rage bait and bs trolling for clicks.

Lots of apologies from KSR/On3 lately. But you got those clicks which is all the matters, right?

This job is Mark Popes dream. And he is watching the thing he cared most about professionally going up in flames and burns him every day. His mental health is absolutely in question. I hope there are people who will rally around him as a human being first. Kentucky basketball will be just fine. Let’s make sure Mark Pope will be too.

You tweeted a pretty crazy quote the moment he said it and followed it up with the quote in its entirety. Great work as always, Jack! Don't think you did anything out of line.

You keep doing this.

Even “in context” I find it alarming. Suicide is not something to be “lighthearted” about. If he is “joking”, that is unstable. If he is doing the whole, “truth in jest”? Unstable. If it was honest? Unstable. I would rather err on the side of caution and have him evaluated.

Bush league reporting. We get you don’t like Pope but your bias against him went a bit too far. It’s just a game, Jack.

You’ve gotta fucking cool it man. You’re leading the charge to make the fanbase act nutty as shit. I know we suck, but you’re making it certain we’re not getting a good coach to replace him. Knock it off.

@KySportsRadio Matt Jones is the reason Calipari left, or at least part the reason, and Matt Jones will be part of the reason Pope leaves.

So still no apology? Just an admission that you suck? Also, “I’ll be better” but then immediately conducting yourself like an ass is hilarious. You’re a one of a kind chode

KSR and crew are the absolute worst when it comes to covering Kentucky basketball. And they are the ones that ignite our idiotic fan base.

It’s not that bi of a deal man. People just look to be offended these days. You do good work.

I get your apology but don’t think you did much wrong.

Too late. All I see on my timeline is pope wants to curl up in a ball

Tyler Thompson chewed you out huh

Pretty par for the course course for KSR.

Something tells me that at first you thought…”hmm I wonder how I could get bbn to want Pope out of here even more…yeah I’ll just post part of a quote that means nothing but people will grow more concerned if he’s the right fit for the job.” Glad you fixed it.

The wording wasn't great, especially given the seriousness of the topic. But the message itself sounded like resilience through adversity, not something to be sensationalized.

@KySportsRadio Thank you Jack for admitting that! I’m not happy with Pope or the team at all but we need to try to be fair as fans and media.

Don't give 2 craps if it is or isn't without context. He should have never mentioned this. Jack didn't say the words Pope did context or not. Ridiculous

Glad you owned up to it being a bad decision, but all of KSR lately has a tendency to post things out of context and tries to rile up the fan base. KSR has been a cancer to BBN an UKAthletics and really needs to self-reflect and if you all are true fans….

You good, Jack

@KySportsRadio Good on you for owning it. That said, it's a troubling quote either way. He's either making jokes he shouldn't (PR nightmare) or this job IS truly eating him alive and he needs to get some help

Dude you just suck ass at this. It’s ok.

@MrsTylerKSR It’s hard to give you the benefit of the doubt when you called this team a bunch of losers five games into the season

Wish people would boycott KSR. Kentucky fans would be much better off without them

Not piling on here. But suicidal thoughts are nothing to joke about. Mental health is a serious problem.

It's ok. Matt jones taught you. That's all you need to say.

It’s not that deep, Jack. Anyone who says otherwise is soft

Oof - I missed this comment, but as a BYU fan, I’ve never heard him “go there”. That is concerning even in tongue and cheek.

The headline is what caught me as totally misleading just to get a click. Don’t understand why you even felt the need to comment on it. Very poor judgement on your part.

Then you need to think about what’s best for the program and not for clicks.

@KySportsRadio Geez. This is the wrong guy for the job. I’d vastly prefer our coach say something more along the lines of “dealing with adversity by going home to see my dogs and watch some Alaskan Ice Road Truckers” Because that’s what healthy people do.
