Before there was Chris Davis and "Kick, Bama, Kick," there was David Langner and "Punt, Bama, Punt."
Langner, a defensive back who returned two blocked punts for touchdowns and intercepted a pass during Auburn's 17-16 victory over Alabama in the 1972 Iron Bowl, died early Saturday morning, according to multiple reports.
Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs confirmed Langner's passing on Twitter Saturday morning and told Mike Szvetitz of the Opelika-Auburn News that Langner had been battling cancer.
Jacobs tweeted that Langner was a "great man and great player" and said his passing was "our loss, heaven's gain today."
"I'm saddened by the passing of David Langner, who was not only an Auburn legend but a great man," Auburn head football coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire Auburn football program, our thoughts and prayers are with David's family and friends."
The Woodlawn High School graduate was a defensive back for Auburn from 1971 to 1973, but his most memorable game took place in his hometown of Birmingham during a December matchup against undefeated Alabama.
Trailing 16-3 with less than 10 minutes remaining, Auburn's Bill Newton blocked two consecutive Alabama punts and Langner returned them both for touchdowns to give the Tigers a 17-16 lead.
A late Crimson Tide comeback bid was ended when Langner came up with an interception that sealed the victory.
Langner, who worked in the car business in Tuscaloosa after his playing career according to Szvetitz, was an All-SEC performer in 1973.
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