Nick Brahms releases heartfelt statement following end of football career

Nick Brahms will be forever grateful for his career at Auburn. After a report Monday revealed that the sixth-year center is retiring from football, he took to Twitter to offer his gratitude to the many people who made his time with the Tigers special.

“For the past five-and-a-half years, I have been an Auburn student athlete and my experience has been nothing short of amazing,” Brahms wrote. “From winning big-time games and losing some heartbreaking ones, Auburn football has shaped me into a man of which I am very proud. My experiences contain the lessons I will need to overcome any adversity that crosses my path in life.

“When I first stepped onto campus, I promised my family I would represent them, my hometown of Navarre, myself and the Auburn Tigers to the best of my ability. I am proud to be an Auburn man and am eternally grateful for the opportunities the university and football have afforded me.”

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Best journey of my life! #WDE pic.twitter.com/OLf9CrgPqZ

— Nick Brahms (@Nick_Brahms) August 30, 2022

Nick Brahms battled injuries throughout his career, and underwent knee surgery twice over the offseason in preparation for fall camp. Unfortunately, according to Harsin on Monday, Brahms’ pain grew too great to allow him to practice — effectively ending his college football career.

The long-time center joined the Tigers in 2017 and was redshirted, and began playing for Auburn from 2018 through 2021 after winning the starting role. With an extra year of eligibility from the COVID-19 impacted season, Brahms was eligible to play for a sixth year — before injury concerns took him out of play.

He will remain on the team and attend practices and games despite his injury, and will work in a player-coach capacity with the team.

“I loved every second of every game day and the preparation it took to get there,” Brahms wrote. “Some of the greatest moments of my life have been on the field and I will always cherish them. But football has taken a toll on my body. I have endured through the pain, injuries and surgeries to be out there on Saturdays and play the game we all love. But I’ve reached a point where my injuries impact my level of play. Although I love football, my body simply cannot absorb the damage anymore. So it’s time for me to hang out my cleat and enjoy the next chapter of my life.

“…I will live in Auburn, continue to help Auburn football and work toward my eventual career at Delta Airlines. I love Auburn and will always love Auburn. My childhood dream came true — I am an Auburn man. War Eagle forever.”

On3’s Austin Brezina contributed to this report.