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Derek Slaughter wearing his helmet at graduation. (Photo via Slaughter's Twitter account).

Derek Slaughter sent a message.

The senior UAB linebacker wore his helmet to graduation on Saturday, his way of protesting the school's decision to disband football last December. When Slaughter walked up to the stage he held up his helmet, and the Bartow Arena crowd erupted in applause.

Props to this UAB football player at the morning commencement. Congrats, class of 2015! #FreeUAB A video posted by UAB (@instagramuab) on Apr 25, 2015 at 8:45am PDT

UAB president Ray Watts, who has been the public face of the decision to kill football, watched and then offered a handshake. But a second video from a different angle shows Slaughter doesn't shake the school president's hand. Slaughter told AL.com he wasn't refusing the handshake, but that because he had the helmet in his hand he was unable to shake Watts' hand.

Slaughter was part of the last team to play football at UAB. He finished last season with 21 tackles -- 3.5 for loss -- and one sack. He first tweeted on Friday that he was considering taking his helmet to graduation.

On Saturday morning, he revealed he was going forward with that plan.

There were other reports of students not shaking Watt's hand as they crossed the stage. Students and alumni have waged a public "Free UAB" war against Watts and other members of his administration for the decision to disband football, along with women's bowling and rifle teams. A recent financial study, commissioned in part by UAB boosters, showed the school didn't make a financially savvy decision to get rid of football.

Note: This story was updated at 2:05 p.m. to reflect Slaughter's explanation.