Auburn paints Philip Lutzenkirchen's number in practice field end zones (Photo)
As Auburn opens up fall practice on Friday, the program will honor a fallen member of its family.
The official Twitter account of Auburn athletics revealed Thursday that No. 43 has been painted in the end zone on the team’s practice field to honor former tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen, who was killed in a car accident on June 29.
#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
Lutzenkirchen, along with University of Georgia student Joseph Davis, were killed in a single-car crash when Davis, who was driving, failed to stop at a stop sign of a T-intersection. The car then crossed another road and “impacted multiple ditches” before hitting a fence and going airborne. Lutzenkirchen, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.
Lutzenkirchen was an all-SEC tight end for the Tigers who holds the program’s all-time record for touchdown catches in a career for a tight end. He caught three game-winning touchdowns in his career, including against Alabama in the 2010 Iron Bowl.
Auburn fans rolled Toomer’s Corner in Lutzenkirchen’s honor the day after the accident. Additionally, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and athletic director Jay Jacobs spoke at his memorial in his hometown, Marietta, Ga.
Painting Lutzenkirchen’s number on the field is just one of what is sure will be many ways Auburn honors his memory in the 2014 season and beyond.
For more Auburn news, visit AuburnSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
