šŸˆ Alabama’s Vogler wearing braclet to honor memory of former Auburn counterpart

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University of Alabama senior tight end Brian Vogler has been wearing a bracelet this fall in remembrance of Philip Lutzenkirchen.

The former Auburn tight end was killed in a car accident outside of LaGrange, Ga., on June 30. He was 23.

ā€œWe were really close,ā€ Vogler said. ā€œWe hung out in high school a good bit over spring break his senior year together. Then we just, he was my host whenever I went to Auburn. I’d go there a good bit just because it was so close. We stayed connected over the last couple of years.ā€

Vogler is from Columbus, Ga., across the state line from Auburn, while Lutzenkirchen hailed from Marietta, just north of Atlanta.

Crimson Tide senior quarterback Blake Sims wore a similar bracelet during the Florida game as a tribute to Auburn student Kayla Perry, a 19-year-old diagnosed with neuroblastoma, the most common form of cancer diagnosed for infants and very young children.

Lutzenkirchen, a very popular player caught 14 touchdowns between 2009 and 2012 to set a school scoring record for his position, was ejected from the back seat of a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe and died at the scene of the accident. The driver, Joseph Ian Davis, was also killed after being partially ejected. Nether was wearing a seat belt and both had been drinking.

ā€œI was fortunate enough to have time off to go to the memorial service and go see his family, just remember his life with them,ā€ Vogler continued. ā€œIt was a really unfortunate thing that happened. I think it brought out all the good things that he’s had in his life. Obviously, it makes you step back and want to be the sort of person he was.ā€

Vogler said he went to the service with an Alabama walk-on who was friends with one of the other three people in the accident.

Meanwhile, Lutzenkirchen’s sister Abby is a three-year starting defender on the Crimson Tide soccer team. She’s started all 11 games this season (7-3-1, 2-1 SEC), with two assists, and switched her jersey number form 33 to 43 to honor her brother’s memory.

ā€œEvery time I see 43, whether it’s on the clock or on my price ticket or anything, I just think of him,ā€ she told rolltide.com. ā€œI think that playing with 43 on my back this year is a huge honor for me, and I think about him constantly – on the field, off the field. It’s given me a different perspective when I’m on the field.ā€

The Lutzie 43 Foundation was set up in his honor. It’s mission is to ā€œdevelop the character of young athletes and their coaches focusing on leadership, charity, compassion, mentorship, hard work, honesty, and faith.ā€
 
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