Former Auburn TE star Lutzenkirchen killed in car crash

Former Auburn star tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen has been killed in a car crash.

Lutzenkirchen died in Georgia after a 2006 Chevy Tahoe containing he and three others “ran a stop sign and careened out of control for roughly 450 feet before overturning several times, coming to a rest on its roof“, according to a USA Today report.

It is not known whether alcohol was a factor in the accident.

Lutzenkirchen played for all four years of his Auburn career – although his final season was cut short by a hip injury that cost him a NFL future. He caught 14 TDs over his 59-game career for the Tigers for 628 yards. He also was one of the mainstays in the Auburn Tigers’ 2010-1 National Championship victory in which the Tigers beat not only favored Alabama but also Oregon.

“I’m deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Philip Lutzenkirchen,” Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. “He was a great young man who touched the lives of everyone he knew in a positive way. On the field, Philip was a great player and competitor, but more importantly, he was a great teammate and friend off the field.”

He added: “My thoughts and prayers are with Philip’s parents, Mike and Mary, and all of his family and friends who are grieving his passing. This is a sad day for the entire Auburn family. I find peace knowing that even though Philip was taken from us too soon, that he lived his life to the fullest, leaving a lifetime of great memories for his family and friends to cherish forever.“