When the Auburn Tigers hit the practice field for the first time on Friday in defense of their SEC title, they will see the familiar No. 43 on the field to honor Philip Lutzenkirchen.
#Auburn will open football practice with 43 painted in end zones honoring Philip Lutzenkirchen. #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/lBWSsaIAfH
— Auburn Tigers (@AuburnTigers) July 31, 2014
One of the greatest tight ends in program history and a member of the 2010 national champion team, Lutzenkirchen, who died in a single-vehicle accident in Georgia on June 29.
For his Auburn career, Lutzenkirchen had 59 receptions for 628 yards and a school-record 14 touchdowns over four seasons.
This is an incredibly classy and touching gesture to honor and pay tribute to one of the finest players and gentlemen to ever set foot on The Plains and give his all for the Auburn Tigers.
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It is a shame he is gone far too soon and unable to continue to make everyone he came into contact with a better person but his spirit and legacy will live on and his number on the practice field likely will be the first of what will be a number of tributes to Lutzenkirchen this season.
If you don’t know just how much he meant to the Auburn family and want to see some touching tributes from
Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs and head football coach Gus Malzahn share their thoughts on Lutzenkirchen from his memorial, you must watch this video.
Another tribute video was made to honor the life of “Lutz” and be warned, you’re going to need to grab the tissues for this one.