Danny Kanell stands on table for Malachi Moore after 'owning' on-field meltdown vs. Vanderbilt

Danny Kanell appreciated Malachi Moore’s apology for blowing up on the field during Alabama’s upset loss to Vanderbilt.

Moore drew a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct when he kicked a football that officials had just set and marked ready for play in the waning moments. Just minutes earlier he had exploded in frustration, tossing his mouth-guard across the field. He also seemed to refuse a substitution, instead waving for the player who was set to check in for him to return to the sidelines.

Moore was very apologetic this week and Kanell was fond of one of Alabama’s leaders taking accountability.

“Losing it in the heat of a game does not determine one’s character,” Kanell said. “Standing up and owning it does. I’d love to have this guy playing for me.”

Following the loss to Vanderbilt, Moore shared a statement where he apologized for his actions late in the game.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, our coaches, the fans, our alumni and my family for the way I acted on Saturday. I was completely out of line. I let the emotions of the game get the best of me and put myself before the team,” Moore said.

“As a two-time captain and a fifth-year player, I understand the standard that we are expected to live up to at Alabama and I failed to do so by acting in a selfish and unacceptable manner. I came back this season to represent myself, this team and this University because it means something to me. I am blessed to be able to wear the ‘A’ on my chest, and I know all that comes with the responsibility of representing this program. I will do better to uphold the standard moving forward, and I will continue to work and improve while conducting myself in a first-class manner.”

While also releasing the public apology, Malachi Moore also shared that he apologized to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer also backed his star player following that outburst.

“We’ve have handled it, and I’m just going to say this about Malachi. What he did, he has gone above and in taking ownership in it. This is pretty much immediately after the game to this morning, things that are all prompted by him, but also part of just our conversations,” DeBoer said.

“I think the thing I want to make sure Bama fans know is that this guy has been rock solid and been a critical, critical piece, along with others, there are some others as well, of keeping this thing together since January. When a lot of guys chose to leave, this guy stood firm. This guy loves Alabama football, he works relentlessly out there every single day on the football field.”