Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia gets into heated exchange with Alabama fan

By Jeff Smith | Last updated Oct 5, 2025 9:05 AM ET

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is never one to lack confidence. With his team off to a 5-0 start to the season and ranked No. 16 headed into the weekend, the confidence was well-warranted, but in front of them stood the No. 10-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, a team seeking some revenge.

After Vanderbilt stunned Alabama last season, the Commodores were on the road Saturday, and facing a Crimson Tide team hitting its stride after rolling past Wisconsin 38-14 and stunning a then-No. 5 Georgia 24-21.

Pavia decided to fuel the fire a bit before the game by taking a knee during warmups, a clip posted by AL.com's Crimson Tide account on X.

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia takes a knee in warmups before facing Alabama. pic.twitter.com/ilnhEN4s23
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) October 4, 2025

Things looked good early for Pavia and company, as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead after Sedrick Alexander's 65-yard touchdown run. Vanderbilt even responded after Ryan Williams tied the score on a 14-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

The Crimson Tide's defense locked things down in the second half, holding Pavia and the Vanderbilt offense scoreless. Alabama's offense got rolling as well, scoring 23 straight points to hand the Commodores their first loss of the season.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has heated back-and-forth with an Alabama fan

Not surprisingly, Pavia heard it from Alabama fans as he came off the field, but one specific situation escalated when the Vanderbilt quarterback got into it with one specific fan, as Unnecessary Roughness posted.

Diego Pavia and a fan got into it after Vandy lost to Alabama pic.twitter.com/n7loGMjH33
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) October 4, 2025

It's tough to make out much of the conversation, but the fan can be heard calling Pavia "trash" and telling him to get off the field. Pavia responded with an NSFW comment before heading into the tunnel while his teammates and the fan continued to go back and forth.

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has extensive experience as a sports writer and editor, including stops at ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, USA TODAY SMG, and Heavy. Jeff's passion for sports content starts and finishes with writing and he's grateful to be able to work in that field on a daily basis.

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