The Auburn community spent the week mourning the death of former star Quentin Groves, found dead at 32 last week while with his family in Trinidad.

Groves was an All-SEC pick for the Tigers in 2006 and 2007 and a second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars coming out of college. His connection to the football program has been a strong part of the tributes that have come out this week, with his mother telling the team's official site what Auburn meant to the Mississippi native.

"Oh, Lord, he was so in love with Auburn," Barbra Groves said. "And Auburn loved him. I'm so grateful for Auburn for loving my son like family. Unconditionally."

On Saturday, legendary running back Bo Jackson was on the sideline at Jordan-Hare Stadium honoring Groves with this awesome customized "R.I.P. 54" jersey.

"Obviously, he was a great athlete and great football player," Bret Eddins, a teammate in 2003, told 247Sports. "He laughed a lot, had a lot of life in his eyes. I don't remember being around Quentin when he wasn't upbeat, hugging people. I think he carried that into his life. Just a great guy, a great teammate, a great family man who lived his life the right way.

"You would have a hard time finding anybody who would say anything bad about him. It's just hard to believe."

Groves showed that spirit when he climbed into the stands to help lead Auburn's band during a postgame celebration in 2007.