Gone too soon

AUBURN | It's not supposed to end this way.

Philip Lutzenkirchen, the best tight end Auburn ever has known, died early Sunday morning after a traffic accident near LaGrange, Ga. It was a tragic end to a life that was just beginning.

He was destined for big things. Lutzenkirchen earlier this year took a job with McDonald, Barranco & Hagen Wealth Management in Montgomery and was volunteering his time to coach at St. James School for coach Jimmy Perry.

His first pupil, St. James tight end Jalen Harris, committed to Auburn just last week and felt energized by the chance to learn from a former all-conference player like Lutzenkirchen.

He wasn't the only one.

Everywhere he traveled, Lutzenkirchen affected people in a positive way. He committed to Auburn during the Tommy Tuberville era, a four-star tight end from Lassiter High near Atlanta, and that allegiance never wavered during the difficult days between Tuberville's departure and coach Gene Chizik's return. As uncertainly swirled around what was then a struggling program, Lutzenkirchen insisted that Auburn was the right place for him.

So began one of the most binding love affairs ever between a player and his program. Lutzenkirchen became an consistently excellent performer who rose to the occasion. His fourth-quarter touchdown catch against South Carolina in 2010 permanently changed the momentum of a difficult game.

His catch on the throw-back pass from Cam Newton at Alabama later that year made him a YouTube sensation. A simple shuffle of his feet after scoring the final touchdown made legions of Auburn fans learn to do the "Lutzie."

He was even better in 2011, likely saving the Tigers from doom at South Carolina with a forced fumble and recovery after an interception near mid-field. He later caught the winning touchdown.

Lutzenkirchen made the most incredible play of his career against Ole Miss later that year, making a one-handed grab (on a throw that was well behind him) and then thrusting the ball just inside the pylon during a touchdown dive.

Still, Lutzenkirchen was far more than an excellent player. He also was a giving person who used his fame for good, like when he attended the 2010 Lassiter High prom with a young lady with Down Syndrome. He was a cheerful, friendly, outgoing person who operated without a hint of pretension.

He became an embodiment of Auburn University, a walking tribute to the idea of working hard to get ahead yet remaining true to himself and those around him. He was honest and truthful, which helped him win respect and confidence from people who weren't charmed by his work on the field.

A great player and an inspiring man may be gone, but the lessons we gleaned from Philip Lutzenkirchen don't have to fade.

Laugh.

Be kind.

Don't take yourself too seriously.

Affect the world in a positive way.