SPORTS

Auburn's David Langner of Punt, Bama, Punt fame dies

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser

AUBURN -- David Langner of "Punt, Bama, Punt" fame passed away Saturday after battling cancer.

Langner returned two blocked punts for touchdowns in the fourth quarter of the 1972 Iron Bowl to give Auburn a miraculous 17-16 victory over Alabama at Legion Field in Birmingham.

"David Langner was one of Auburn's greats who will be remembered by generations to come," Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said in a statement. "He was a fierce competitor who fought cancer as hard as he fought any opponent he faced. I know the entire Auburn family joins me in offering our sympathy and prayers to his family."

No. 2 Alabama led No. 9 Auburn 16-0 with 10 minutes left in the game before a Tigers field goal made it 16-3. Auburn forced Alabama to punt on its ensuing possession and the Tigers' Bill Newton blocked Greg Gantt's punt and Langner ran the ball back 25 yards for a touchdown.

Alabama was forced to punt and again, Newton again blocked the punt and Langner returned it for a touchdown. Langner, who was at Auburn from 1971-73 and was an All-SEC defensive back in his final season, also intercepted an Alabama pass to preserve the victory.

The win propelled "The Amazins" to a 10-1 record, a 27-3 Gator Bowl victory over No. 13 Colorado and a final rank of fifth by the Associated Press.

A native of Birmingham, Langner reflected on his part in the "Punt, Bama, Punt" game years later.

"After all the time, what everybody needs to understand is how important it is we are remembered, not necessarily why we are remembered," Langner once said, according to an Auburn release. "For the fans to know you after 40 years, for us is a gift you can't get under your Christmas tree. It's not an individual accomplishment. It's a team accomplishment. Everybody gets to enjoy and share being remembered."

Langner is still Auburn's career record holder with 287 interception return yards, and currently ranks tied for fifth all-time with 12 interceptions.

He still holds the Auburn record for interception yards in a single game with 108 vs. UT-Chattanooga on Sept. 18, 1971, including an 88-yard interception return for a touchdown.

He worked at a car dealership in Tuscaloosa until he retired in November. Langner was 62.

"I'm saddened by the passing of David Langner, who was not only an Auburn legend but a great man," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire Auburn football program, our thoughts and prayers are with David's family and friends."