Honorees
The Tradition
Matt Hobby was known by all to be tough and determined both on the field playing for the Hounds and off the field in his personal fight against cancer. Since Matt’s passing, each year the Pope senior football players and coaches select a teammate that best exemplifies Matt’s qualities, making it truly an honor to receive the #70 jersey.
2025 Recipient
The 2025 honoree is #70 James Burns
1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Steak
2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG? Phenomenal by Eminem
3. WHO IS YOUR MOST ADMIRED FOOTBALL PLAYER (COLLEGE OR NFL) AND WHY? – Taylor Lewan
4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU PLAYED FOOTBALL? This is my 6th year
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POPE FOOTBALL MEMORY? Beating Sprayberry last year
6. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEASON? Beating Lassiter
7. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR? Playing football in college and majoring in Engineering
8. WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST ABOUT POPE FOOTBALL? Playing football with my brothers
9. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE SELECTED AS #70? It means I can play football the way Matt did
Past Recipients
- 2022 - Patrick Burns
- 2021 - Brian Baumann
- 2020 - Connor Patterson
- 2019 - Will Mitchell
- 2018 - Cody Olszewski
- 2017 - Ryan Inskip
- 2016 - Logan Otsby
- 2015 - Austin Nielson
- 2014 - Ben Cottingham
- 2013 - Quintin Bange
- 2012 - Cody Amon