Chris Hope

For the Rushden & Diamonds footballer, see Chris Hope (footballer).

Not to be confused with Chris Hoke.

Chris Hope

Hope in February 2009
No. 24     Tennessee Titans
Strong safety
Personal information
Date of birth: September 29, 1980 (1980-09-29) (age 31)
Place of birth: Rock Hill, South Carolina
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Weight: 208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
College: Florida State
NFL Draft: 2002 / Round: 3 / Pick: 94
Debuted in 2002 for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2002-2005) Tennessee Titans (2006-present)
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl selection (2008) Super Bowl champion (XL)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2010
Tackles	665
Sacks	4.0
INTs	19
Stats at NFL.com

Chris Hope (born September 29, 1980, in Rock Hill, South Carolina) is an American football player who plays for the Tennessee Titans.^[1]

High school

Chris Hope was a USA Today All-USA first-team and Parade All-American selection as a senior at Rock Hill High School. During his High School Career Chris Hope recorded 114 tackles and three interceptions as a defensive back while rushing for 1319 yards and 20 touchdowns as a running back. He totaled 464 tackles, 10 interceptions and four fumble recoveries during his four-year varsity career and established a school record as he started 55-straight games during his star-studded prep career. Ranked as No. 1 defensive back prospect in the nation by Prep Star and rated No. 3 defensive back and No. 50 overall prospect in America by National Recruiting Advisor, he was a member of Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 1000. Selected to Orlando Sentinel All-Southern team. Rated as No. 1 defensive back recruit nationally by Tampa Tribune and ranked as sixth-best recruit nationally by St. Petersburg Times. Recorded 114 tackles and three interceptions as defensive back while rushing for 1,319 yards and 20 touchdowns as running back.

College

In 1998, freshman year at Florida State University, Chris Hope played in every game at free safety, recording 34 tackles, with a pair of pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. In 1999, Sophomore year, Chris played in every game, starting the final six contests at free safety recording 41 tackles, with two stops for losses of 4 yards, and a forced fumble. He also tied for the team lead with four interceptions for 17 yards in returns. In 2000, Junior year, Chris Hope started all year at free safety. He was fourth on the team with 83 tackles, including five stops for losses of 10 yards, intercepted two passes and deflected eight others, recovered and caused a fumble. In 2001, Senior year, Chris Hope started every game at free safety. He recorded 76 tackles with nine pass deflections and three interceptions.

Professional

Chris Hope during a game in 2005 (right).

Chris Hope was drafted in the third round number 94th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2002 season. He started out the 2002 season on special teams and became a strong special teams player. In an October 27 game against the Baltimore Ravens he caused a fumble on a second quarter kickoff that led to a touchdown. He got to play his first extensive game on November 24, 2002, against Cincinnati due to injuries in the Steelers secondary picking up three tackles and one special teams tackle. The 2003 season was not much different from his first. Chris Hope played mainly special teams. In an October 26, 2003, game against St. Louis he delivered a crushing block to free Antwaan Randle El to return a punt 84 yards. In 2004 Chris Hope became the starting free safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chris Hope would pick up 58 tackles forcing one fumble, four pass deflections, and intercept one pass with a return of 41 yards. In 2005 Chris Hope would once again start as Free Safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had 69 tackles forcing one fumble, and he picked off 3 passes with a total of 60 return yards. Chris Hope was one of the many who helped the Pittsburgh Steelers reach and win Super Bowl XL. Shortly thereafter, Hope signed a six-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. In his first year, he led the team with five interceptions and 128 tackles. In a 2007 game against Cincinnati, Hope suffered a spinal cord injury that ended his season. He underwent surgery in the offseason and has been a full participant at the Titans minicamp.

Miscellaneous

• His cousin Gerald Dixon played linebacker for nine seasons (1993–2001) in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers
• He took part in Titans Caravan 2008 in April, visiting soldiers and family members at Fort Campbell.
• Favorites: MOVIE: Rush Hour 2; FOOD: Grilled Chicken; TV SHOW: “Martin”; MUSIC ARTIST: Notorious B.I.G; VACATION DESTINATION: Miami.
• On the December 23, 2008 episode of ESPN First Take, Hope stated that he is a fan of the Duke University men's basketball team. Though, he admitted they are his second favorite team to his own school, Florida State.
• On the Steelers, he was the teammate of similarly named Chris Hoke.

References

1. ^ Chris Hope. nfl.com

• Current Stats
• Current Team