Alabama DB speaks on statement performance after viral clip fuels fire

Alabama handled business at home by defeating Wisconsin 38-14, and the Crimson Tide defense had another multiple turnovers outing thanks to the performance of defensive back Bray Hubbard.

After losing to Florida State in the season opener, Alabama received a heavy dose of criticism geared toward the team’s overall effort and energy, and Hubbard specifically had to endure an abundance of criticism after a video went viral of him jogging on play that resulted in a Florida State score.

Earlier in the week, Hubbard told the media that the backlash that came from the viral video was the equivalent of pouring gas onto a fire, and that fire has been burning for the past two weeks.

“Obviously, it wasn’t a great moment for him, but he took that to heart for sure,” linebacker Deontae Lawson said. “And you can tell in the way that he practiced throughout the week and these last couple of weeks, and you know, it’s showing. I’m super proud of Bray. I know he has more in the tank that he wants to show the world, and I’m sure he’ll do that.”

Hubbard made the pads pop in Alabama’s 24-point victory, flying around the field and bringing down ball carriers with a thud. He finished the game with five total tackles, but his biggest contribution was the pair of interceptions he hauled in.

The fire burning on the inside has been noticeable to his teammates, and perhaps that Florida State game is what he and his teammates on defense needed to get locked in and start making plays.

Saturday was the first time Hubbard had ever caught two interceptions in the same game in his collegiate career, and he was exactly where he needed to be on the field for each turnover.

“I was really surprised honestly,” Hubbard said. “When they throw it right to you, those are the hardest ones because honestly, your eyes get big and it’s like slow motion.”

For Hubbard, the Florida State game was a turning point for him and the rest of the team, but the Tide’s vision is not fixated on the rear-view mirror.

“We had to put that game behind us honestly,” Hubbard said. “That was two weeks ago, and we’ll keep building off what we did last week and what we did this week. We just got to keep building. We have the bye week coming up, so we just got to hone in on the details and get ready for the game in two weeks.”

After the bye week, Alabama will go to Athens to face Georgia on Sept. 27.