The GeorGia Game Gameday acTiviTies - Auburn University Athletics

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AUBURNTIGERS FOOTBALLBy Claire FisherSenior Feature:Philip LutzenkirchenLike many collegiate athletes, PhilipLutzenkirchen is living his dream. After decidingto focus on football instead of basketballduring his junior year of high school, he committedto Auburn. However, he never imaginedhis senior season as a Tiger being cut short.During the Vanderbilt game, Lutzenkirchenstood on the sideline, and it was laterannounced that he was done for the season--and the remainder of his career at Auburn.“It was tough to hang it up, but I knew that formy future I needed to get my head figured outand have the surgery done,” Lutzenkirchensaid. “It was just one of those things. It wastough, but I did a lot of praying, and coachChizik helped me realize that it was somethingI needed to do for me personally.”Since his surgery on Oct. 12, Lutzenkirchenhas not let his injury hold him back in achievinghis two biggest goals that he set for himselfupon coming to Auburn.“My biggest goal was to graduate, and I’mgoing to graduate in December,” Lutzenkirchensaid. “I also wanted to try to put myself in aposition to try to play at the next level.”With plans to enter the NFL Draft in thespring, Lutzenkirchen began recovery the dayafter his operation. He has continued workingon his upper-body strength and continues towatch game film to better himself as a player.Prior to his injury, Lutzenkirchen establishedhimself as a record-setting tight end. Heranks first in Auburn history in touchdowns bya tight end with 14 and also set the singleseasonrecord for touchdowns by a tight endin 2011 with 7, ranking for third nationally.After three successful seasons, it wouldhave been understandable if the disappointmentfrom a season-ending injury affectedLutzenkirchen’s mood. But it hasn’t.“The injury to Philip’s hip was a crushingblow and not the way anybody envisioned2012 AUBURN FOOTBALL8AUBURNTIGERS.COM
AUBURNTIGERS FOOTBALLhim ending his career, but he has remainedextremely positive and upbeat, and that is atestament to his character and faith,” KevinCarroll said. “I know he is hurting and wantsto be on the field with his teammates morethan anything. He has been a tireless workerand inspiring leader during his tenure on thePlains, and he will always be a fan favoritein the eyes of the Auburn Family.”Carroll, along with Scott Simpson, are roommatesof Lutzenkirchen’s. The three have beenclose friends since their years at Lassiter HighSchool in Marietta, Ga., and they know histrue personality off the gridiron.“He is goofy,” Simpson said. “Serious conversationsare few and far between. Footballrarely gets brought up, and he doesn’t let anyof his success get to his head.”Simpson and Carroll see the goofy side ofLutzenkirchen, whether it is through his abilityto give nicknames to anyone in a matter ofseconds, his love for Disney movies or some-how finding ways to get backstage at an EricChurch concert. However, the two friends seea more serious side of Lutzenkirchen, too.“Philip is a great football player, but an evenbetter person,” Carroll said. “He is so involvedwithin the Auburn community, and strives tochange lives. What makes it even more refreshingand admirable is the fact that he does it forintrinsic reward--not notoriety and attention.”Because of his extensive service to the community,Lutzenkirchen was named to the AllstateAFCA Good Works Team in September.“I’ve personally made it a mission to work withunderprivileged kids and kids with cancer, justgoing to visit them and trying to build a relationshipwith them,” Lutzenkirchen said. “I’vebeen given a platform, playing football, to getthem away from what they’re dealing with.It’s been a blessing. I know I’ve touched theirlives, but they’ve touched mine even more.”While Carroll repeatedly sees Lutzenkirchen’sselflessness in helping those in need, he andhis family have also been personally affectedby Philip’s giving ways.“My sister, Casey, has Down syndrome, andfeared she wouldn’t be invited to the prom,”Caroll said. “That was until Philip askedher, of course. Philip was a freshman goingthrough spring practice at the time so wewere unsure if he would be able to makeit, but he said he gave her his word andwouldn’t miss it for the world.”The Saturday of prom, Lutzenkirchen wasinjured during practice, requiring him to visitthe doctor. In addition to that, Casey wasalso battling a fever. Because of his trip tothe doctor, Lutzenkirchen did not make it toMarietta in time for pre-prom pictures, but hemade it a priority to be there for the prom.“He could have easily backed out after the injury,and we would have understood completely,”Carroll said, “but that is the kind of person PhilipLutzenkirchen is--a truly selfless individual.”2012 AUBURN FOOTBALL9AUBURNTIGERS.COM
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