Mark Stoops Addresses Controversial 'Pony Up' Comments, 'I Was Trying to Rally People'

Coming off of a 51-13 loss to Georgia, it was not the best time for Mark Stoops to ask fans to “pony up” NIL money to further the football program, yet, it was said. During Wednesday’s weekly SEC coaches teleconference, Stoops got the chance to expand on his controversial comments.

“To me, I was responding to one person (caller) at a radio show. And that was one part that was taken completely out of context,” Stoops said. “I love our fans, whether they give one cent, one dollar, or a lot of money. It doesn’t matter.”

Going into an important game that could set the tone for the rest of the season, against the Missouri Tigers, the Wildcats certainly need the fans’ support at Kroger Field on Saturday night, and Stoops recognizes that.

“I love our fan base. I think we have a great relationship with myself and the fan base. We need them here this week. We’ve got to get back on track. We’ve got to have a great week. We need that environment rocking.”

So why give a divisive comment as Kentucky enters game week? Stoops says he was actually trying to do the opposite. “I simply really was trying to rally people,” Stoops said. “Basically, one person was questioning me and the program and getting over the hump. I really simply should have said, ‘Hey, dude, I got over a lot of humps. That’s not a hump; that’s Mount Everest.'”

Stoops’ full comments can be heard below.