Alabama’s Malachi Moore on Vanderbilt outburst: ‘Put myself before the team’

Alabama football captain Malachi Moore issued an apology Monday morning for his outburst during Saturday's loss to Vanderbilt. The fifth-year senior safety lost his cool toward the end of the game, throwing his mouthguard and kicking the football after officials spotted it for the Commodores' final kneeldown.

He also appeared to refuse to leave the field with coaches attempting to sub him out.

"I want to apologize to my teammates, our coaches, the fans, our alumni and my family for the way I acted on Saturday," Moore said in a statement, posted to his social media accounts on Monday. "I was completely out of line. I let the emotions of the game get the best of me and put myself before the team.

"As a two-time captain and a fifth-year player, I understand the standard we are expected to live up to at Alabama and I failed to do so by acting in a selfish and unacceptable manner."

Moore and the Crimson Tide were ranked No. 1 in the nation on the AP poll entering Saturday's game. They suffered UA's first loss to Vanderbilt since 1984, dropping 40-35 in Nashville.

Alabama will face South Carolina in Tuscaloosa Saturday.

"I came back this season to represent myself, this team and this University because it means something to me," Moore said in the statement. "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 Alabama standard moving forward, and I will continue to work and improve while conducting myself in a first-class manner."

Alabama and South Carolina are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be aired on ABC.