AUBURN, Ala. – When Auburn's Zakoby McClain raced 100 yards down the sideline on his Iron Bowl pick six, a legendary linebacker expressed his approval nearby.
In the second quarter of Saturday's 48-45 win, Auburn honored its 2019 SEC Football Legend, Karlos Dansby, with Director of Athletics Allen Greene and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey joining him on the field during a timeout.
"It means everything," said Dansby, who starred for the Tigers from 2000-2003. "For my peers, and the people who watched the game and loved the game to respect what I've been able to contribute to Auburn University and the SEC, it's a blessing to be in this position."
It was the first Iron Bowl Dansby attended since the last one he played in, Auburn's 28=23 win in 2003. Having his family join him on the sideline made the moment extra special.
"It's beautiful," Dansby said. "For them to be able to experience something like this, up close and personal. I've lived it, but now they get a chance to live it themselves by being on the field and soaking up this atmosphere, it's unreal. I love this."
After his Auburn career, Dansby played 14 NFL seasons, one of only five players in NFL history with at least 40 career sacks and 20 interceptions.
"It molded me," said Dansby of his time on the Plains. "It gave me the foundation that I needed, not only to survive but to thrive and live a legacy in that moment on that level. It takes a lot. Auburn gave me everything I needed."
An All-America in 2003, Dansby made 84 tackles his senior season with 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and four caused fumbles. His favorite play occurred the year before in Auburn's 31-6 win over Vanderbilt.
"The sack against Vanderbilt," he said. "The trifecta against Jay Cutler when I strip-sacked him, scooped it up and scored. That was the highlight for me, playing linebacker, coming off the edge, get a clean shot like that, cause a fumble then scoop it up and score. You live for moments like that as a defensive end/outside linebacker."
Dansby will represent Auburn in Atlanta during the "Weekend of Champions" at the SEC Championship Game, along with former greats from each of the conference's 13 schools.
After the fanfare, he'll return to his hometown, hoping to make a difference with his charitable and business endeavors.
"I'm rebuilding communities, rebuilding people," Dansby said. "That's my passion. That's my purpose. I'm locked in and I'm loaded and I'm focused on Birmingham right now but I'm going to spread throughout the whole state of Alabama."
"Auburn gave me everything I needed."
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) December 6, 2019
🗣 2019 @SEC Legend @Karlosdansby56
📰 https://t.co/d4Aiy5NSuD#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/OCha2HWg84
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer