Malachi Moore opens up on what it meant for Kalen DeBoer to defend him after Vanderbilt loss

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Malachi Moore has been criticized for his actions late in the loss to Vanderbilt. Through all of it, head coach Kalen DeBoer has had his back publicly.

Now, Moore has opened up about the support he’s received from DeBoer and what it means for his head coach to publicly defend him.

CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!

“It meant a lot because, obviously, I didn’t mean for the situation to blow up how it did,” Malachi Moore said. “To have my head coach just come to me and tell me that he had my back without us even having a conversation about it first, or anything like that, because some coaches can not stick up for their players but it says a lot about Coach DeBoer and it really meant the world to me.”

Malachi Moore was hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty for kicking the ball, was seen delivering a late hit on Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, throwing his mouthguard, and appearing to refuse to come off the field when the staff tried to substitute him out of the game. All of that came in the fourth quarter.

Save $30 on your first month of Fubo by CLICKING HERE NOW!

For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $49.99. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

When Kalen DeBoer has publicly addressed the issue, he’s made sure to praise Malachi Moore publicly while emphasizing that the issue was handled internally by the program.

“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. 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,” DeBoer said.

“The questions asked about me, the passion, frustration, I mean that’s what you saw from him. Was there some things that he regrets and wishes he probably didn’t do? Yeah, but he’s owned up to it and we’ve handled it internally and still handling it internally. He’s a first class guy, he’s out in the community weekly.”

Malachi Moore apologizes for on-field meltdown

Following the loss to Vanderbilt, Malachi 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.