'No one person to blame': Dale Moss talks 'Bachelorette' breakup after Clare Crawley feels 'crushed'

Clare Crawley and Dale Moss' engagement wasn't all roses.

The former couple, who got engaged after a whirlwind romance and impromptu proposal on the Nov. 6 episode of "The Bachelorette," are continuing to speak publicly about their falling out.

After Moss announced a "mutual" split earlier this month, Crawley responded days later claiming she was "made aware of a 'mutual' statement at the same time you all were."

Moss has since deleted the post and elaborated on his thoughts in a series of videos posted to his Instagram Stories, noting he was now "comfortable getting on here after having some time to process everything that's gone on" and seemingly reacted to Crawley's public statement.

"The statements that came out, this didn't come out of nowhere," he said. "I love Clare and respect Clare enough to let her know how I feel and it's going to take time. I wanted nothing more than to make this relationship work."

The former NFL player said their relationship had its "ups and downs" and that he was struggling after of their breakup, even as fans are seeing him "smiling on social media."

"People will spread lies or always want to point the finger, but the fact of the matter is there's no one person to blame in this situation," he added.

Who is Dale Moss? Meet the 'Bachelorette' frontrunner, model and former NFL player

Moss first announced Jan. 20 that he and Crawley had "decided to go our separate ways."

"We appreciate the love and support we’ve received from so many people, but this is the healthiest decision for both of us at this time," Moss wrote on Instagram. "We strongly believe in leading with love and always remaining true to oneself – something our families have taught and instilled in us throughout our lives. We only hope the best things for one another."

Crawley responded to Moss in an Instagram statement of her own the next day. In it, the former "Bachelorette" suggested Moss' statement about the couple going their separate ways was news to her as well.

"I was made aware of a ‘mutual’ statement at the same time you all were, so I’ve needed some time to really digest this,” she wrote. "Speaking for myself, my intentions with this relationship have always been very clear, so the truth is I am crushed."

Crawley added that 2020 was "one hell of a year, with covid, battling severe anxiety post-show, balancing a public new relationship, all while slowly losing my mother.” While on the ABC reality show, Crawley opened up about her mother living with Alzheimer's disease.

"It hasn’t been ideal circumstances, but that is life right," she continued. "I have been looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel. Our relationship was not perfect, but I can say that I was genuinely invested with all of my heart. I may not have all the answers, but I do know this – I will continue to show up, stand by my word, and be committed to love."

Crawley, 39, and Moss, 32, made an almost instant connection on "The Bachelorette" last year, prompting Crawley to declare her love for Moss after just fourepisodes.

"We've just started this process … but every time I wake up, I think about you. And when I go to bed at night, I think about you," Crawley said during an episode of "The Bachelorette" that aired Nov. 5. "I can't even put it into words how you make me feel. All I know is that I'm so falling in love with you."

The feeling was mutual. Moss told Crawley that, "I'm falling in love with you through this process. I'm not afraid to say that at all. My heart is open and I'm not gonna fight that."

'The Bachelorette' recap: Mind-blowing proposal and a long-anticipated debut shock Bachelor Nation

Moss proposed to Crawley before the couple made an early (and unprecedented) exit from the competition.

"I want to make you happy each and every day. So with that being said, Clare, will you marry me?" h asked. Crawley ecstatically said yes, responding, "Put that ring on my finger. I've waited a lot of years for this."

Whirlwind romance runs in the Crawley family. The reality star's father proposed to Crawley's mother three weeks after meeting her only once – and they were married for 42 years.

"

Crawley was replaced by Tayshia Adams as the new Bachelorette for the rest of Season 16. She got engaged to Zac Clark after he accepted her final rose.

Contributing: David Oliver, Charles Trepany and Hannah Yasharoff

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Bachelorette' stars Dale Moss and Clare Crawley split, speak out