Alabama defensive back responds to lawsuit after field storming incident

By Chris Marler

Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. has filed a legal response to the ongoing lawsuit he faces after last November’s field storming incident. The incident occurred after Alabama’s 24-3 loss to Oklahoma in Norman. 

A lawsuit filed by Holden Moxley claims that he was struck in the head by Kirkpatrick. The incident happened while Moxley was trying to take a selfie on the field after storming it alongside other fans as the game ended. 

Moxley, a high school student, stated that he identified Kirkpatrick by his jersey number. He was later hospitalized and diagnosed with a concussion. He is seeking $10,000 in actual damages and over $75,000 in punitive damages, alleging that the incident was captured on video. 

Kirkpatrick’s attorney Ryan Deligans filed a response earlier this week denying the allegations. The response also alleges that Kirkpatrick acted in self-defense after feeling “threatened given the totality of the circumstances he was confronted with.” The legal response also maintains that Moxley being on the field in the first place was unlawful and negates the incident being caused by anyone other than himself. 

This is the second time in the last three years an Alabama player has been involved in an incident like this after a field storming. The last came in 2022 with then wide receiver Jermaine Burton allegedly striking a woman after she ran on the field following Tennessee’s 52-49 over Alabama. The field storming trend is nothing new to Alabama. In fact, opponents have rushed the field after their last ten road losses dating back to 2013.