Since receiving the news of Philip Lutzenkirchen's death this morning, many thoughts have run through my head. The main thing that continually comes to mind when I think about Lutzenkirchen is legacy.
Auburn University produces thousands of graduates into society every year. Many go on to build a name for themselves and earn their respect after many years.
However, in an age where arrogance and selfishness is celebrated in athletes like Johnny Manziel, Lutzenkirchen was a shining example of the opposite of that mindset.
When I met Lutzenkirchen in a class several years ago, I never expected him to give me the time of day due to his status. He was an elite Auburn football player, a superstar on campus. However, when I approached Lutzenkirchen and Jeffrey Whitaker about signing a poster for Sean Fredella, a Birmingham boy battling cancer, I saw for the first time the kind of man that Lutzenkirchen was.
Not only did he and Whitaker sign the poster, they got the entire team to sign the poster along with having the team sign a game ball that they gave to Sean.
After immediately gaining my respect for their incredible act of kindness, I was able to get to know Lutzenkirchen a little more during our time in class. When asked about a crazy athletic feat he had performed in high school, he simply responded, "It wasn't talent, it was lucky."
When I advised him to stick to saying, "Thanks," he laughed it off like it was nothing.
For someone with the athletic talent and popularity to shrug it all off and be a genuine person, when he could have had the superstar athlete mentality and ignored those less talented than him, it left a lasting impression.
For us to say that the Auburn Family has lost someone dear isn't sufficient, because Lutzenkirchen's life has affected so many more people.
In one of those instances of rare unity in college football, fan bases from all over the nation are expressing their sympathy.
After Lutzenkirchen was waived from the St. Louis Rams, he began working as an assistant financial advisor at McDonald & Barranco, Wealth Management in Montgomery. On the side, he found a way to get back on the football field, as an assistant coach at Montgomery private school St. James.
Again, Lutzenkirchen showed his desire to help others. Not only did he share his football talents with the St. James Trojans, he also stepped in on behalf of Michael Sam, after Sam became the first openly gay player in the NFL.
After seeing homophobic tweets, Lutzenkirchen immediately took to Twitter to defend Sam. He could have easily ignored the tweets and let Sam fend for himself, but he wouldn't stand by and watch someone be bullied.
As the mourners continue to gather around Toomer's Corner to pay their respects, we could easily dwell on the fact that Lutzenkirchen has left us. We could mourn for days wondering what could have been from such a gifted and kind individual.
Instead, let's think like I believe Lutzenkirchen would think.
Let's not think about what we no longer have, let's celebrate the legacy that Lutzenkirchen has left with not only our great university, but with the entire world.
In his 23 years, Philip Lutzenkirchen did a lot of amazing things. He won an SEC Championship and a National Championship, and had an incredibly successful career as a football player on the Plains.
While those feats are incredible, his most incredible feat lies in the establishment of a legacy that will live on forever in only 23 years. Many people die at an old age without ever coming close to touching the number of lives that Lutzenkirchen affected.
Number 43 will always live on in Auburn, as he exemplified the Auburn Creed more than any individual I have ever met.
He will also live on in many other places, through those who were touched by Lutzenkirchen's legacy. We should all strive to leave our mark on the world just as Lutzie did.
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