Georgia's Kirby Smart apologizes for calling Jake Pope an 'idiot' after viral video | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart acknowledged his harsh comments toward one of his players after Saturday's loss to Ole Miss went too far.

After the Rebels upset the Bulldogs over the weekend, a video surfaced showing one of Smart's players celebrating with a group of Ole Miss fans.

During Monday's press conference, Smart called Jake Pope, the player seen in the video, “an idiot” and said it was “just stupid.”

According to ESPN, Smart believes he crossed the line with his words to Pope.

“I would say I shouldn't have called the kid an idiot and that was a mistake on my part, but I appreciate Jake,” Smart said. “He's a great boy. He works really hard. He is a team player. I think he knows it was an emotional mistake and he told the team that. So I appreciate the way he handled it.”

After Pope's video with Ole Miss fans went viral, he apologized to fans and explained that the people seen in the video were friends of his family whom he had unexpectedly met.

Without context, it's understandable that Smart was upset when he saw how his player behaved after the surprising defeat. Smart's comments on Wednesday seem to indicate he has no hard feelings toward Pope and the two are likely ready to move on for this week's matchup against Tennessee.

After the defeat against the Rebels, the No. 12 Bulldogs can't afford another loss if they want to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. There will be another tough duel this weekend when the No. 7 Vols come to town, and Georgia will likely be thrilled given how their last game ended.