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Americus’ Pope kicks off local All-Star event today

• NFL star Leonard Pope and fellow stars return to Pope’s hometown of Americus for the second annual Leonard Pope All-Star Weekend.

Scott Chancey

AMERICUS— Leonard Pope is ready to give his hometown of Americus a helping hand — yet again.

The former Panthers, University of Georgia and current Arizona Cardinals tight end is hosting the second annual Leonard Pope All-Star weekend today and Saturday.

“This weekend gives me the chance to touch my community and give back,” Pope said of the event intended last year to help raise funds to rebuild his hometown and hospital, Sumter Regional Hospital, which were hit by tornadoes last year. “It means a lot because Americus is my hometown and I want to do what I can for my community if I have a chance to do it. We rarely have a chance to get out and be as a community together.”

Last year’s event, according to Sumter Regional Hospital director of marketing, Marcus Johnson, raised more than $40,000.

“I was pleasantly surprised by that,” Pope said. “But a lot of teammates helped me out with that. A lot of good people came together and got a lot accomplished.”

This year, the event will raise money for, among other things such as Pope’s recently created C.H.A.M.P. (Creating Hope and Making Progress) Foundation, which “promotes programs that enhance the quality of life for children and families by teaching them leadership skills, assisting in community revitalization, educational awareness and providing role models for underprivileged youth.” Pope added that funds could also go to organizations like area Boys & Girls Clubs and possibly his Alma matter high school’s booster club.

The weekend will feature several events featuring current NFL players such as Colquitt native Charles Grant (New Orleans Saints), Shellman native Thomas Davis, and former Georgia standouts Odell Thurman, D.J. Shockley (Atlanta Falcons), Danny Ware (New York Giants), Jarvis Jackson (Tennessee Titans) and Charles Johnson (Panthers) and Sean Jones (Cleveland Browns).

Others attending are former Auburn standout Marcus McNeil (San Diego Chargers), former Virginia star Elton Brown (Cardinals) and ex-Wake Forest player Calvin Pace (New York Jets).

A celebrity basketball game will be held at the Americus-Sumter High School-South at 6:30 p.m., today, with $5 tickets for adults and $3 admission for those under 18 years old. On Saturday, a free community day for kids will feature a cookout at Boone Park Reservation from noon-4 p.m., featuring activities such as games, food, inflatables, clowns, NFL player autograph signings and football instruction.

Pope said there won’t be a celebrity golf tournament or banquet like last year because he wanted to change things up.

“I really wanted to have the kids day that I didn’t do last year,” said Pope, who missed the last part of the 2007 season because of a dislocated right ankle. “That was set up, mainly, just for the kids.”

Pope, whose basketball team lost last year’s All-Star game when Davis sank free throws at the end, also has his sights set on redemption.

“We’re looking to get some revenge again this year,” Pope joked.

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