Jackie Pope, while at Oak Ridge High School from 1955 until 1958, established himself as an outstanding all-around athlete, a multi-year four sport letterman, as well as, an All-State, All -Southern and All- America tailback.
In 1956, Oak Ridge High completed the season undefeated and was declared the 1956 State Champion by Litkenhous Ratings. During the 1957 season, Pope emerged as one of Tennessee’s premier backs and set new school records, leading in rushing, passing, and return yardage. In 1958 the Wildcats, again undefeated, were State Champions and Pope was recognized as a first-team All- America running back by The Sporting News. That season Pope averaged an astonishing 17.2 yard per carry and 1571 total yards in leading the Wildcats to the title. The 1958 team was named mythical National Champions by the National Sports News Service, and Pope was named All State and Tennessee Player of the Year and received numerous awards and distinctions regionally and locally. Additionally, Pope was a key contributor to three ORHS State Champion track and field teams.
He was recruited to play football for the University of Tennessee in 1959 by then assistant coach Johnny Majors and head coach Bowden Wyatt. Pope earned a numeral on the Tennessee freshmen team and was a varsity letterman as a sophomore in 1960. He transferred and completed his college football career as a stand-out running back and defensive back at Middle Tennessee State University — where he was selected as an AP All-America in 1962. He was chosen football co-captain in 1963 and also lettered in varsity track and baseball at MTSU.
After college, Pope went on to coach football at Chattanooga’s Brainerd High School, and later coached defensive backs at Western Kentucky from 1969 to 1972, where the Hill Toppers won the OVC championship in 1970.
Pope has previously been inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame (2010) and also the Oak Ridge Sports Hall of Fame (1987). He retired from a career in secondary and higher education, banking, utility regulation, safety, and transportation.
He lives in Oak Ridge, Tenn., with Jane, his wife of 48 years. Their son Robbie is a corporate attorney with Regal Entertainment Group in Knoxville, where he resides with his wife, Sarah, and children, Shelby Anne (5) and Jackson (2).