Tennessee DB Rashaan Gaulden explains his middle finger vs Alabama

Players are forced to answer all sorts of questions as they prepare to enter the professional ranks. For Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden, that meant answering for the middle finger he flipped to Alabama fans during a game in October.
Gaulden was asked about it and gave a pretty reasonable explanation, saying that he’s passionate and hates Alabama.
Former Tennessee DB Rashaan Gaulden on hand gesture he gave to Alabama fans last season: "I'm a passionate guy when I step on the field. And I hate Alabama."
— Noah Taylor (@Noah_TaylorDB) March 19, 2018
Gaulden apologized the same day for his gesture. But when you put it into context — Tennessee hadn’t scored a touchdown in several games until that — it’s somewhat understandable to that Gaulden got carried away.
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah views Gaulden as an immediate starter in the NFL.
H/T Rocky Top Talk