Hopson: George's death is "tragic, no other way to say it"
Jay Hopson was handed the keys to Alcorn State's football program in May 2012.
When Hopson arrived, wide receiver Tollette "Tonka" George was one of the players he inherited from the previous staff. George spent the next four seasons playing for Hopson.
Hopson was somber when thinking about his time with George, who was tragically shot to death in his native New Orleans Friday night.
"It's just tragic, there's no other way to say it," Hopson said. "He made a lot of plays, was a good teammate and just a good person. It's just a sad, sad loss for the Alcorn family. He was loved by all his teammates and coaches and was just an outstanding young man."
George, 23, concluded his playing career with the Braves in December and graduated from Alcorn State in May. George finished with 101 career catches and amassed 1,244 receiving yards.
In what turned out to be his final game, a 41-34 Celebration Bowl loss to North Carolina A&T, George, who was 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, posted six receptions for 63 yards, threw a touchdown pass and caught another to help the Braves claw back into the game.
"He had an outgoing personality. Tonka was a competitor," Hopson said. "He earned everything he got. He was an undersized receiver that had a knack for making plays. He had a great instinct for the game and (he was) an integral part for our program."
The Orleans Parish Coroner officially confirmed George as the victim of the shooting, which took place in Algiers, on Monday. There's been six shootings in the neighborhood since Thursday.
George suffered from multiple gun shot wounds, according to the coroner's report.
"It hurts us and we feel for the Alcorn football family," Hopson said. "His mom, we're all praying for her, trying to lift her up, I think that's what's important right now.
"My heart breaks for his mother; she was just a great supporter."
Contact Antonio Morales at firstname.lastname@example.org. Follow @AntonioCMorales on Twitter.