Bryan Harsin shares Auburn team support for Jeff Klein

Before fielding questions during a press conference Saturday, Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin shared his team’s thoughts and prayers were with former quarterback Jeff Klein. ESPN analyst Cole Cubelic was in attendance for the Tigers’ “A-Day” spring game as well, Klein’s former teammate from their time together at Auburn.

Klein played quarterback for the Tigers from 1999 to 2001, went to a hospital in Georgia after dealing with severe back pain. Upon his admission, an MRI found spots on his lower back and his condition has worsened since.

Bryan Harsin on Jeff Klein

“Last thing — I do wanna send our thoughts and prayers out to Jeff Klein, former Auburn QB,” said Harsin. “[Klein] was recently hospitalized. We’re wishing him a speedy recovery. I know Cole, he was out there today on the field. Those guys are good friends, and [Klein is] definitely a guy that’s been a part of this program.”

As the Tigers prepare for their upcoming 2022 season, the program and players were reminded recently of the lifetime bonds college football allows. Klein’s illness has raised support from all around his Auburn family as his recently started GoFundMe began to reach its goal rapidly.

Klein’s center during his years at Auburn, Cubelic, was in attendance for his job covering the team’s spring game — another reminder for players and staff kept their thoughts on Klein’s condition.

In his three seasons with Auburn, Klein threw for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns. His best season came in 1999 as a freshman when he completed 85 of 169 passes for 1,038 yards and six touchdowns in eight games as Auburn went 5-6 overall and 2-6 in SEC action.

Klein’s family starts GoFundMe

“There are still a lot of unknowns about future conditions and outcomes at this point,” reads the GoFundMe, which is raising funds for Klein’s family amid his hospital stay. “What we do know is that Jeff and Adrienne will have a long, difficult road ahead of them. This road will be paved with an unknown amount of financial hardships and other burdens placed on each family member.

“We are asking for your help to ease some of these financial hardships to make the other unavoidable burdens less stressful on Adrienne and the rest of the Klein family. Your generosity will go towards unforeseen medical expenses, utilities and groceries for the family, and any other needs for their three boys: Cannon, Coley, & Clayton.”

Klein is currently a teacher at Loachapoka High School in Auburn and coaches baseball and football. He’s the football team’s offensive coordinator.

“At this time, without Jeff teaching in the classroom or coaching on the field, his family will not have a sustainable source of income,” the GoFundMe states. “We can do what is necessary while Adrienne focuses on this extremely challenging chapter of their lives. We humbly encourage you to do what you can to help support our Coach and his beautiful family.”

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.