Alabama football is one big family. It’s been so for decades now, and Kalen DeBoer is continuing that tradition. The Alabama community came in support of QB Keelon Russell when he lost his twin sister. Kierston Russell died on 4th June. She was going to join her brother at Alabama for college this fall, having attended her graduation ceremony with Keelon. Kalen DeBoer stepped up and came down to the funeral, along with other members of his staff like Nick Sheridan and Josh Chapman, to support his QB. At the SEC Media Days, DeBoer opened up about the gesture.

“I mean, Keelon is looked at in high regard already, in just one semester being in our program. He’s an amazing leader. I’ve seen extremely talented, but just high character has led to relationships that are deep. That’s a hard time for him. It’s going to continue to be hard,” he told the press.

However, he also noted how much it meant for Russell to have his team support him in such a tragic time. Keelon was on campus a few days after his sister’s death and showed up to practice like usual, said OC Ryan Grubb. He appreciated all the condolences coming for his family, sharing some heartfelt messages on his social media. He and the Alabama staff made the trip from Tuscaloosa to Tupelo, Mississippi, in June for the service.

“[Seeing], you know, upperclassmen offensive linemen, freshman offensive linemen supporting him on that trip, Upperclassmen receivers, freshman receivers, guys on both sides of the ball that wanted to be there, that wanted to, you know, on a Saturday afternoon be there to support him and take some time to go be with him. I know that meant a lot to him,” DeBoer added. Even his QB1 race competitors, Ty Simpson and Austin Mack, showed up. Russell shared a picture of everyone who had joined him, with the message, “Family 4L,” and an elephant emoji.

“I think it shows a lot about the type of players we have. It also says a lot about Keelon and the ways he’s established himself as a major member of the football team,” DeBoer said. Keelon Russell, the No. 2 QB of the 2025 class, is fighting for a chance to be the Tide’s QB1 this season. Losing Kierston is definitely a major blow, who was just 18 when she passed. But a grieving Russell still turned up at practice, where Ryan Grubb and the rest of the team were there to keep his spirits up. However, at home, he also let his emotions run through.

Keelon Russell’s attitude lauded by Ryan Grubb

“His ability to handle this has been humbling to see,” Grubb told Tide 100.9. When Russell arrived on the field, just a few days after Kierston died, Grubb called him in and asked him to lay it all out for the team. And his squad was right there to back him. “Everything I’ve seen and the support he has already … You can’t give enough support for a situation like that. Keelon is a very, very strong young man,” Grubb said. Despite that perseverance, Keelon Russell did not hold back on the love and grief for his sister at a service held by Duncanville High.

“My twin, my twin….and my best friend. You know we shared so many things that was special to everybody here. Everywhere she goes, remember that Kierston Russell is going to be there by you, she will always protect you, strengthen you, give you the light, the path that you always wanted,” Russell said, his voice filled with emotion. Kierston’s passing hit Russell more harshly because they attended their graduation ceremony together, just 4 days before her passing. Alabama insider Brett Greenberg shared a video of the siblings celebrating the night, high-fiving each other after receiving their certificates.

“We certainly talk about person greater than player. That’s being challenged right now to make sure those things are real within the program and the culture of the locker room,” Grubb said, noting how readily the players stepped in to support their teammate. Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football’s heartwarming gesture was surely a lot of help to the QB, as he gears up for the 2025 season.