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Americus' Pope, celebs set for All-Star weekend

• Ex-USA and current Arizona Cardinals star Leonard Pope and a host of celebrity friends converge on Pope's hometown of Americus today and Saturday for the "Leonard Pope All-Star Wekend," proceeds of which will go to help rebuilding the city ravaged by recent tornadoes.

Scott Chancey

AMERICUS — Some people may forget, but Americus native Leonard Pope was almost as good a basketball player as he was a football player in high school.

As for his golf skills?

That remains to be seen.

 “I’m gonna try to get a hole-in-one and be the next Tiger Woods,” Pope said with a laugh.

Regardless, the city of Americus — one which was struck by tornadoes that killed two people earlier this year and caused countless amounts of damage to buildings and homes — will be the winner this weekend when the “Leonard Pope All-Star Weekend” is held today and Saturday.

 “There’s a lot of excitement going on in the city and the restaurants,” said Pope, the former UGA and current Arizona Cardinals star, adding that proceeds from the event will go directly to helping rebuild the city.

“Everywhere I go, everybody seems to be happy about what’s going on.”

And what’s going on are plenty of festivities for everyone.

Starting today, there will be a charity golf tournament today at 9 a.m. at Southwestern Golf Links, with the cost for participating at $100 a person ($400 for each team). Then later today, a black-tie charity dinner and silent auction will take place at South Georgia Tech’s Pope Center, with tickets costing $50 a person or $500 a table. Then, on Saturday at 2 p.m. a charity basketball game will be held at South Georgia Tech featuring a host of Pope’s fellow NFL players and celebrity friends facing off against Americus-Sumter and Southland legends. At the game, local children can sign up for Pope’s youth football camp held next year. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children (children under 5 years are free).

Pope, who was born at Sumter Regional Hospital — which arguably was one of the structures most heavily damaged by the tornadoes — won’t be the only professional player in Americus this weekend.

He also brought some friends.

Among those tentatively scheduled to attend are ex-Miller County and UGA star turned New Orleans Saint, Charles Grant;  ex-Georgia Bulldog Danny Ware of Rockmart, who now is with the Tennessee Titans; former Georgia standout and current Atlanta Falcon D.J. Shockley and Pope’s current teammate with the Cardinals, Anquan Boldin, the ex-Florida State standout.

But the list doesn’t end there.

Also expected is Cuthbert native and ex-Georgia star turned Carolina Panther, Thomas Davis; Cartersville native, ex-Auburn great and current Miami Dolphin Ronnie Brown; Americus native and ex-FSU and Valdosta State quarterback, Fabian Walker, and former UGA Bulldog and current St. Louis Ram, Randy McMichael.

And with such a cast assembled, Pope says he’s not the only one noticing a growing anticipation for the event.

“The response has been tremendous, and everyone is excited about the number of stars who will be here,” said Comfort Green, who is vice president of external operations/marking at Sumter Regional Hospital. “We are all so proud of Leonard for stepping up to the plate and wanting to do something for his hospital and community overall, and this event will go a long way toward not only raising money but healing spirits as well.”

At the silent auction, among the items to be given away are those autographed by Arizona quarterback and 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, Matt Leinart, along with Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, who played football at Georgia Tech and with the Falcons.

And after the events are over and the rebuilding continues in Americus, Pope wants one thing to carry over.

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