National Football Foundation

A four-year starter at defensive back for College Football Hall of Fame coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State, Chris Hope led the Seminoles to a 42-8 record, three ACC titles and a BCS National Championship in 1999 after a 46-29 victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl capped a perfect 12-0 season. A Second Team All-American and two-time All-ACC selection, he registered 234 career tackles, 19 pass deflections and nine interceptions in his Seminole career. A two-time First Team Academic All-American and four-time Academic All-ACC selection, Hope received the ACC Scholar-Athlete Award and the Golden Torch Award for having the team’s highest GPA.

Hope was selected in the third round (94^th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and spent his first two professional seasons on special teams, making 50 total tackles. He served as a primary starter at free safety in 2004 and 2005, starting in all 32 regular season games and registering 118 total tackles and four interceptions. Hope played a key role in the Steelers’ run to a Super Bowl title in 2005 as the team leader in interceptions (3).

Following the 2005 season, he signed with the Tennessee Titans and led the team with five interceptions and 128 total tackles in 2006. Hope played six seasons in Tennessee, accumulating 455 total tackles, 40 pass deflections and 16 interceptions. In 2008, he was named to his one and only Pro Bowl. He played his final full season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2012 and retired in 2013. Hope made 716 total tackles and 20 interceptions in his 11-year career. He founded the iCHOPE Fund to provide support for families and individuals from diverse backgrounds in his home town Rock Hill, S.C., and communities in Nashville and Atlanta.