Ohio State linebacker K'Vaughan Pope apologizes for on-field outburst, subsequent tweets

Ohio State picked up a 59-7 win over Akron on Saturday night in Columbus, but Buckeyes’ linebacker K’Vaughan Pope’s exit was the bigger story, as he had to be escorted off to the locker room after an outburst on the sidelines and subsequent eruption on Twitter.

The senior linebacker on Sunday tweeted an apology for the tweets, which read, “Fucc Ohio State,” before it was deleted, and, “Good lucc to my teammates.”

“Last night I let my emotions get the best of me. For that I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Buckeye Nation,” Pope said via Twitter on Sunday. “I made a mistake and know that I need to be better and do better. I’m going to take this time to reflect and work on my mental well-being.”

Saturday’s drama began when Pope appeared to head back to the locker room on his own, but was then brought back to the sidelines where he started to take off his jersey. When he first returned to the locker room and got a hold of his phone, however, Pope began posting on Twitter.

“Someone just kind of told me about the tweet,” head coach Ryan Day said immediately after the game Saturday. “I am going to get all the details about everything that just happened before I say anything there.”

According to Lettermen Row‘s Austin Ward, Pope was trying to run out on the field in a substitution package when he was waved off by teammate Teradja Mitchell. Once getting back to the sideline, a visibly upset Pope started walking down the sideline by himself. He then went back into the locker room unaccompanied.

“A lot of guys, they want to play and you can’t play everybody,” Day continued. “And frustration kicks in.  Again, I don’t want to comment on that particular situation, but I certainly think it’s very isolated.”

Eventually corralled by Buckeyes staffer C.J. Barnett in the south end zone, Pope was guided back to the sideline. Once there, however, Pope took off his gloves and threw them into the stands and began removing his Ohio State jersey — which apparently caught the attention of Day. After another conversation with staffers, Pope was led to the locker room while the game was ongoing.

Pope has shown his not-so-subtle displeasure on playing time on social media before. He has played in 33 games with the Buckeyes, but he has never carved out a starting role on the unit. He did flash a couple years ago with a pair of interceptions, showing the athleticism that made him a four-star prospect in the Class of 2018.

Ohio State’s linebacker unit is already short on depth. Earlier this week, Dallas Gant entered the transfer portal. The Buckeyes lost Tuf Borland, Pete Werner, Baron Browning and Justin Hilliard after last season, leaving substantial gaps in the middle of their defense. The gaps have not been filled, either, and losing Pope doesn’t help.

“In today’s day and age, a guy can leave after four games because they can redshirt. And if they want to go into the portal, that’s their prerogative,” Day continued, when asked of Pope’s situation Saturday.