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Kalen DeBoer Gives Free Pass To Alabama Captain For Slamming QB’s Helmet And Throwing Tantrum

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Malachi Moore Suspended Kalen DeBoer
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Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer will not suspend captain Malachi Moore for his behavior during a loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday. The 49-year-old handled the incident internally.

A large number (or a vocal minority) of Crimson Tide fans are not happy with his decision.

Moore, a senior, was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after he kicked the ball away from the Commodores while they tried to kneel out the clock. And then he waved off the coaching staff when they tried to remove him from the game because of his poor behavior.

That was one of a few different incidents involving Moore. The 6-foot-0, 201-pound defensive back also slammed Diego Pavia’s head into the ground after a first down sealed the win in the fourth quarter.

Damien Harris ripped into Moore for his actions. The former Alabama running back also questioned the other players on the team for allowing him to act a fool on the field.

To be fair, multiple teammates spoke with Moore after the game. Senior linebacker Que Robinson expressed his disappointment.

That was unacceptable, even by him. He’s a captain. Definitely have to talk to him about his attitude and stuff on the field.

— Que Robinson

As did junior defensive lineman Tim Keenan III.

I understand stuff is going on, but you have to keep your cool.

— Tim Keenan

Starting quarterback Jalen Milroe offered a similar sentiment.

We have to embrace our wins as we take our losses.

— Jalen Milroe

Malachi Moore also issued an apology for what happened on Monday afternoon. He referred to his conduct as “selfish and unacceptable” while vowing to do better moving forward.

Although Alabama fans accepted the apology, some of them did not believe it was enough. They want Moore to face repercussions for his meltdown. They want to see him serve a suspension.

In their opinion, Nick Saban never would’ve allowed this to happen. That may or may not be true, given that he did not suspend Jermaine Burton in 2022, but that is neither here nor there.

Kalen DeBoer is not going to keep Moore off of the field.

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack came to Moore’s defense when asked about the substitution snub. He promised to address the situation the “right way across the board” and said the player has been “held accountable.”

An understanding of what the aforementioned accountability looks like was not provided. Neither Wommack nor DeBoer offered any additional information. Moore will not be suspended.