Mark Pope presents Tim McGraw with custom Kentucky jersey

Tim McGraw is officially a member of Big Blue Nation, receiving a custom Kentucky jersey from none other than Mark Pope during the country music legend’s stop at Rupp Arena on the Standing Room Only Tour.

Pope welcomed McGraw to Lexington while also bringing home Taylor Mill’s own Carly Pearce, who rocked Kentucky blue during the opening act from start to finish. The Grammy Award-winning singer also hung out with the Pope family before the show, showing off her own UK jersey to perform in.

“So much gratitude for the Legend (Tim McGraw) for taking time to say hi,” Pope said on social media. “AND for True Blue Kentucky star (Carly Pearce) who repped the CATS for her entire set! Thanks for being so kind to the Pope girls. No place like Rupp!”

So much gratitude for the Legend @thetimmcgraw for taking time to say hi. AND for True Blue Kentucky star @carlypearce who repped the CATS for her entire set! Thanks for being so kind to the Pope girls. No place like Rupp! #standingroomonlytour2024 pic.twitter.com/AhW8Vp6TgG
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) June 16, 2024

The interaction with the country music duo comes just a little over a month following a similar one with comedian Nate Bargatze, who also had a tour stop at Rupp Arena. That was when the famous funny man got the chance to meet Kentucky fan favorite Kerr Kriisa during his official visit to Lexington.

“(Nate Bargatze) not only funny…but got mad game!” Pope said at the time. “So cool to have him get loose at Joe Craft Center today…before he brings down the house (at Rupp Arena) tonight!!”

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.@natebargatze not only funny…but got mad game! So cool to have him get loose at Joe Craft Center today…before he brings down the house @Rupp_Arena tonight!! pic.twitter.com/5dg3Fy6aCv
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) May 10, 2024

Bargatze gave a behind-the-scenes look at his trip to Kentucky and his pre-show meet-up with Pope and Kriisa a few weeks later.

“This is Kerr Kriisa,” Pope told the popular comedian. “He is a world-class performer in and of his own right. Kerr Kriisa is one of the great performers of college basketball. Every home team loves him and every other school in the country hates him like crazy.”

“That’s pretty accurate,” Kriisa responded.

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A post shared by Nate Bargatze (@natebargatze)

Maybe Tim McGraw shares a similar inside look at his meet-and-greet with Pope and the Wildcats in a week or two. Either way, we know the guy rocking a barbecue stain on his white t-shirt can throw that one out for some Kentucky blue moving forward.

Welcome to the family.