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Kevin Kopps stayed on field for hour after Super Regional loss signing autographs for Arkansas fans
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Even after a heartbreaking loss, Kevin Kopps didn’t forget his fans.
The star Arkansas pitcher stayed on the field for an hour after the Fayetteville Super Regional finale signing autographs and taking pictures for Razorback fans. Even athletic director Hunter Yurachek took notice of the SEC Pitcher of the Year.
Kevin Kopps is still on the field at Baum-Walker Stadium. Signing every autograph and taking every picture. pic.twitter.com/7DeUJFwfHA
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) June 14, 2021
Our Super Regional game has been over for a hour and @KevinKopps, who pitched his heart out, is still at Baum-Walker Stadium signing autographs for kids. #OneRazorback pic.twitter.com/CC84oOvKcK
— Hunter Yurachek (@HunterYurachek) June 14, 2021
Fans certainly would have understood if Kopps had headed for the locker room after Arkansas fell to NC State. The star reliever made his first start of 2021. Kopps went all the way into the ninth inning before exiting after giving up the go-ahead run on his 118th pitch of the game. NC State held on to win 3-2, eliminating Arkansas from the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the crushing loss, the potential Golden Spikes winner stayed on the field, signing autographs and taking pictures for fans.
“One of the big things I think about is something Michael Jordan said about playing as hard as he can every single game because it might be someone’s one and only game,” Kopps said in his postgame media availability. “So maybe that’s someone’s one and only chance to come watch a game, so I feel like it’s important give back to the fans because they give so much to us.”
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
