Malachi Moore says he apologized to Diego Pavia after actions in Alabama vs. Vanderbilt

Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore received plenty of criticism for his actions during Saturday’s loss to Vanderbilt. Moore was frustrated throughout the game and appeared to take it out on the Alabama coaching staff by yelling at them, as well as on Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.

Moore spoke with the media on Tuesday and apologized for the way he acted during the game, including in the final minute when he shoved Pavia’s helmet down onto the ground after making a tackle.

“The way I acted, out of frustration, you know, we put in so much work throughout the summertime. And I look at my teammates, man. I see [Deontae Lawson] and I’m thinking about all the times we’ve been outside running gassers,” Malachi Moore said. “I look at Que Robinson and [Zabien Brown], Tim Smith, guys that have been here five years and put in all that work, and for us to go out there and not play up to our standard, it definitely was frustrating to me.

“But I take full accountability for that, letting my actions get the best of me. And it won’t happen again.”

Moore reached out directly to Diego Pavia on Instagram and apologized and told him that there was nothing malicious about the play.

“Just let him know ‘my bad'” Malachi Moore said. “Just let the game get away from me. He hit me back so we’re cool.”

Moore has spoken with the coaching staff since his outbursts and believes he is back in good graces. He apologized and also received some punishment.

“They were just telling me that they understood my frustration but we can’t act like that on the field,” Moore said. “But they definitely had my back and definitely been apologizing to them and did the consequences that they’ve given me and yea.”

Malachi Moore also apologized to the Alabama team for his actions during the Vanderbilt game and assured his teammates that he won’t act like that anymore.

“Kind of the same message I’m giving y’all, I was just, I let them down as a leader in that moment, in a moment where your captain, your leader, is supposed to be strong in that moment,” Moore said. “I let my emotions get the best of me and kind of just acted out of character. So I apologized to them for that and told them that’s not the way we do stuff here and it won’t happen again.

“Basically just controlling my emotions and knowing where I’m at. And just doing the best to be a role model and lead.”