TSG and ''Anpiff ins Leben'' mourn the passing of Erwin Rupp

It was in North Baden that Erwin Rupp made a name for himself as a footballer. After learning the ropes at his home town club FC Badenia, Rupp then transferred to VfB Eppingen at the age of 19. It was here that he would experience the highlight of his sporting career: in 1974, he was a member of the team that knocked Hamburg SV out of the DFB-Cup. In 1980/81, he played his only season in the 2. Bundesliga with VfB, scoring eight goals in total. He then went on to spend eight seasons at SV Sandhausen, where he won two trophies. Despite this success, he was never quite able to make it back up to the second tier of German football, losing on each occasion he contested a relegation play-off. It was at TSG Hoffenheim, who played in a local amateur league at the time, that Erwin would draw the curtain on his career. The midfielder holds the honour of being the first star player that TSG patron Dietmar Hopp signed for the club.

In his professional life after retirement, Erwin stayed loyally rooted to his home in North Baden. After a long stint at SAP in Walldorf, he chose to follow his philanthropic streak by joining the charitable association ''Anpiff ins Leben'' (kick-off in life). In his role at ''Anpiff ins Leben'', he was responsible for administering projects aimed at encouraging amputees to get involved in sports. Everyone at ''Anpiff ins Leben'' will remember Erwin as a warm-hearted colleague, who was always willing to listen to others and to lend a helping hand. Whether out on the football pitch or in everyday life, Erwin always strived for the common good above all else. He always felt most comfortable away from the spotlight, where he could quietly do his job without making a fuss. 

Erwin will be greatly missed by us all.