Senior defensive lineman Nosa Eguae (#94), who played his final game as an Auburn Tiger in the 34-31 BCS Championship loss to Florida State, has been one of the leaders of the Auburn football program since he won the 2010 BCS Championship as a freshman. Although he played his final game in an Auburn uniform on Monday night, he is forever part of the Auburn Family. Below is his message to the Auburn Family. This is Auburn.
Dear Auburn Family,
In August, I told myself that when this season and my time here at Auburn came to a close, I would write an open letter the Auburn Family to simply say “thank you!” After last night, I found myself having trouble putting into words the gratitude I was longing to convey. This University will forever have a place in my heart, and the city of Auburn will forever be a home to me.
In 2009, I came to college as a seventeen-year-old kid from Arlington, TX. Now, in 2014, I am leaving as a twenty-two-year-old Auburn man. I wish I could list every person that helped make this the most memorable time of my life; however, that list is far too long.
I would like to thank Jay Jacobs for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this family. Everyone in the support staff in the athletic complex from compliance, equipment, trainers and media relations, to the academic staff that never once let me lose sight of what was most important- leaving Auburn University with my degree in hand. Auburn FCA, who helped me grow spiritually and constantly pushed me towards Christ. Brother Chette, you will forever be a mentor for me. You played an instrumental role in the decision to rededicate my life to Christ and be baptized two years ago.
To all of my coaches throughout my time here, I thank you. My two strength coaches taught me the true meaning of work hard work, and that is something I will carry forever and no one will every be able to take it from me. Coach Gardner, you instilled in me accountability and consistency. I cannot thank you enough for bringing me so far in just a year’s time. Coach Malzhan, you gave my fellow seniors and me the opportunity to be leaders among men. I speak on behalf of all of my brothers that wore the AU helmet for the last time yesterday when I say “thank you.”
Soon enough, I will look back and reflect on our accomplishments, but today I am choosing to live in the moment. This is the last time my brothers and I will get to spend a day with each other for tomorrow we will go our separate ways and pass the torch to the next group of seniors that will lead and fight for the greater good of the family. From tragedy to triumph, I could not ask for a better group of men to ride off into the sunset with.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every one of my teammates, past and present. Nothing will ever break the bond I have with every single one of my brothers I had the pleasure of going to war with.
And in closing, to the greatest fans in America, thank you and I appreciate you. Through the ups, downs, and times that seemed much like a roller coaster, you all stayed true. That is why Auburn is different. That is why we’re family! I cannot thank you enough for that.
War Eagle! God bless you all!
Nosa Eguae #94 c/o2013“Why pride? When the only reason you have anything good is because the King humbled Himself and died for you.” –Louie Giglio
Thank you, Nosa. You are a true Auburn man. War Eagle.
49 comments
That’s Real bro congratulations and good luck in your endeavors. Thanks and War Eagle!
Tears in my eyes. What a true Auburn man. Thanks for your dedication to our Auburn Family and I wish you the very best in your future endeavors. What you have learned at auburn will go with you forever. So proud of you!!! War Eagle and God Bless.
That’s great. War eagle, Nosa.
That certainly was a letter from the heart It reflects the awe inspiring team and family bond that is instilled in all alumni and fans alike at Auburn.
God Bless you Nosa for being the the man that you are and a believer in Christ as your Savior.
Thank you Nosa. Thank you for the love, dedication and most of all – the leadership that you’ve given Auburn. We love you.
This young man did not just read the Auburn Creed…he assimilated it into his life. War Eagle Nosa! Your Auburn family wishes you all the best that life has to offer!
Thank you for your time, dedication and loyalty. I hope we somehow made it all worthwhile and rewarding. You always have a home in Auburn, Nosa
God Bless you, Nosa, and all the seniors for giving the family a season to remember. Grace be with you. War Eagle!
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.
-George Petrie (1945)
Nosa your a giant among men & I’m not talking size. From all the Auburn Nation I want to thank you & wish you complete success in your future endeavors. May God bless you young man. This letter has been a truly inspiration to us all.
In the game Monday night Auburn lost. In life Auburn wins…and wins BIG!!! “There are those who aim for the moon, and those who aim for the stars. And then there are those whose aim is the Glory of God…and end up winning it ALL!” Thanks for setting the “bar” for all of us! Stay wise my friend!
Thanks and well stated, glory to the most high God! Nosa blessed my heart!
Nosa, you all are warriors. No one gave us a chance. Coach Gus led you all to believe in each other. Y’all over came adversity each and every game. True believers of each other and formed a bond that no one can take away. From worst to first, unbelievable. You all will forever be remembered as champions to the Auburn Family. God Bless & War Eagle!
Nosa, best decision you made in your life, “decision to rededicate my life to Christ and be baptized two years ago”.
But thank you for coming to Auburn and thank God that even though there were great disappointments last year the Auburn men rose above them and was victorious.
A true man of character. Thanks Nosa for being a great influence for people in our Auburn family.
That is Class.
Nosa, I attended my first Auburn game in 1947. It’s because of Auburn men like you and the Auburn spirit that I have remained an Auburn fan all of these years. God Bless you and success will follow you where ever you go. Bill
I attended my first Auburn game in 1947. It’s because of Auburn men like you and the Auburn spirit that I have remained an Auburn fan all of these years. God Bless you and success will follow you where ever you go. Bill
Nosa, thanks for your love of Auburn and for what you have done for all of the Auburn family in your time at Auburn. As I tell players via comments, when they commit to Auburn, you made a decision that will not just affect the next 3-5 years of your life, but will affect you for a lifetime. You committed to become a member of the Auburn family for life. You will hold it very dear to your heart, just as you hold your real family.
As I get older and much of my family is gone and my late husband is gone, I hold Auburn even more dearly in my heart. War Eagle, Nosa and all of the team, coaches, students and fans. Auburn is a lifetime commitment to us all.
Nosa we should be thanking you for your devotion to Auburn through thick and thin times. You never gave up; your faith kept you looking forward knowing a better day awaits you. God bless you and your brothers, peace be with you all.
David ’73
This is why i am an Auburn man/ fan….We are truly different from the rest..Nosa thank u for your dedication, heart, and commitment… War Eagle!
Nosa is not as different from the rest as you may think. Hiis leadership has made many an auburn Man and Woman follow his path in faith and the ideals set forth in the Auburn Creed. He leads by example. Frankly, if he is selling, I’m buying.
With Great Thanks I Am Writing This To You…Thank You For YouR Leadership And Dedication To Auburn. Thank You For Becoming The AUSome Ma You Are. Thank You For Giving Us All The MemorieA.D…God Bless You And I Wish You All The Best In Life…WAR EAGLE!!
Nosa,
Thank you for your passion and commitment to Auburn over your college career!! Reading your letter is a reminder that Auburn really is a special place and like no other.
I am going to share your letter with my family tonight to remind them how to give thanks for the special people and times in their life.
WAR EAGLE! Tom ’79
Dang, Nosa. I have always regretted not going to AU and you just made it that much worse. That was beautiful and I envy that feeling you have. But I do know I always have and always will love the Tigers. And, no, I may not have gone to Heaven, but I did not go to the “other place” either. Troy (State) University ’88
WAR EAGLE always and forever
Nosa, Beautiful. I have admired your ability to play football all year and now I greatly admire you and the awesome principles for which you stand. I often said, four of the many things that go better in life are God, family, friends and smiles. Often I saw you smiling and now you acknowledge the greatness of God in your life and the real value of family and friends. You mentioned FCA, before retirement, I was privileged to have served on the Board of Diredctors for the state of Oklahoma. However, I have always been a rabbid War Eagle fan from the dream to play at AU. Never made it but am grateful for students like you that are an honor and credit to AU. The very best in all your endeavors. You have been an awesom asset to the Auburn Family. Stay true orange and blue and God’s love remain delightfully refrehing.
Thanks you for great year War Eagles
Nosa,
Thank you!
No, thank YOU, Nosa. You are a wonderful credit to Auburn University, and you and your teammates have given us so much to be proud of. Your letter brought tears to my eyes and I wish you all the very best life has to offer as you head toward your future. Thanks for being an Auburn Tiger!
Nosa Eguae and ALL of the other TEAM MATES. If it was not for you all, I would not have a team to be a fan of. I love watching all of you. I never have seen such good sportsmanship on the field. There is no way I could cheer another team on. I have Orange & Blue in my blood. All of you have been a pleasure to stand behind. Every year I watch the most dedicated Men walk from years at AUBURN to become successful men in in this world. I love you all and wish the best for you all. I hope each of you will be back to see us. Love my AU FAMILY…… WAR EAGLE !!!
What a wonderful letter from a real Auburn Man. God bless you Nosa and thank you and your teammates for helping us to believe. Auburn truly is a special place and will always remain in my heart. WDE.
What a beautiful young man. I have tears in my eyes and am proud to call him an Auburn man. God bless you. You are right Auburn never leaves you it is a special. I love my AU family. Class of ’82
Nosa, thank for being a true leader and the definition of an Auburn Man. The love that you have for Auburn is sincere, and we as fellow graduates and fans are so proud that you are family. We will truly miss you on the field for Auburn, but know that you will always have a home here, no matter where life may lead you. A true class act. Best of luck to you, Nosa, and WAR EAGLE.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever taken the time to write a comment on an article… Nosa, I want to personally thank you for your commitment to excellence and for the journey you’ve during your time at Auburn. You are a champion and you and your brothers truly made the 2013 football season one of wildest times of my life. You men showed me that miracles do, in fact, exist. My wife and I wish you all the best, sir!
Nosa, I am lucky to have you as a friend. You have made me proud to be an Auburn man. War Damn Forever.
Jay
Proud of what you guys did. Proud of you for using your platform to direct people to Jesus. God bless you man.
Jeff ’99
Hey quality attracts quality, and we hit a homerun when we got you. My family sat beside your family at a game in 2011 and let me tell you guy, you’ve made us all proud. Loyalty will take you as far as you will let it. With a heart like yours, there’s nothing to stop you. May you be blessed in your life to come. Always keep it real!
Dear Nosa,
Respect!
Sincerely,
Auburn Nation
i have never been prouder of an Auburn football team. With young men like Nosa in the program I am confident that the program will continue to produce winners both on the field of play and on the field of life. Nosa, thank you for what you gave to our University.
Best wishes, Nosa! You have a gift of expression. The words touched my heart!!!
Well said Nosa. I’ve enjoyed watching you play and grow as an Auburn great! Thank you for your dedication to perfection and to giving us something to look forward to every Saturday . I cannot wait to see you in the next level. Good Speed Nosa!
Nosa, you are part of the Auburn Family, and I’m proud to be your “brother”. Good luck in the future, and don’t forget to come “home” sometimes.
Nosa Eguae, what a class act you are. I love Auburn University and it’s because of young men like yourself that I have seen over the years give their blood and tears on the field for Auburn. It takes a special person to go out there year after year, for four years and lay it all on the line every Saturday. I am so proud of the way you and the other senior players have responded to the challenges you have faced in the past 4 years, the ups a d downs that the team has faced. In 2010 when you were a freshman and playing on the second National Championship team at Auburn, and then to this year playing on one of the greatest Auburn teams of all time.
What a wonderful young man you are to think of the fans and taking the time to write to us and say the things you did. I don’t know you personally, but I am sure your parents are very proud to have you as their son. I am so proud and my heart is with each and everyone of you players and coaches after the wonderful season the team had. May God Bless you and and may all your dreams come true. I was reading a Bible verse Monday night and I would like to share it with you, It is appropriate for the War Eagles…:-)
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV),
“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Thank you Nosa, for all the hard work you did….and thanks for the memories you and the team have provided for an Auburn Family who is and will be grateful forever.
God Bless Brother,
William Jones
War Eagle, brother. God bless.
Thank you Nosa. Thank you for making it special to be an Auburn Fan. WAR EAGLE!
Blessings on you,Nosa. Words well written from the heart. Romans 1:16! May the Lord continue to show you favor as you seek to fulfill His words as recorded in Matthew 6:33 and Colossians 3:15-17, 23-24!
You are an amazing young man and I pray great things are ahead for you. Every Auburn fan I know considers this team champions in every way. Thank you for the most exciting football season I have ever experienced as an Auburn graduate and fan. I’ve never been prouder of our team and it’s individual players.
God bless!
“Vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit” – Biden or nonbiden God abides. You know us old AU Pharmacy Grads, still have to hold on the the Latin. This fine young Auburn man will go forth and be a credit to his family and the University. As he has indeed learned that “God is near” and may be called upon in every life circumstance. Reading this letter makes me even more proud to be a member of the Auburn Family. Thank you Nosa.
CDR Lawrence Riley, Jr. RPh USN/USPHS (Ret) Class of ’73
Nosa, it’s young Auburn people like you, that make us Auburn grads/fans so very proud! Best of luck in the future…and…WAR EAGLE! John Pierson/ AU Swimmer 77