Auburn graduate and Robertsdale, Alabama, native Tim Cook made a rare speech at the United Nations after the university presented him with a lifetime achievement award.

In a reference to the Iron Bowl, he opened up with saying he may ask for an extra second for his speech.

Then, his tone took a serious note as he accepted the award.

The quality of life award was established 20 years ago to honor Auburn alumni who have made "significant and lasting contributions to individual, family and community well-being locally and around the world," the press release stated.



Cook used the opportunity to discuss gay rights, racism and more in his 13- minute long speech.



On gay rights, Cook said "now is the time to write these basic principles of human dignity into the book of law," and said that racism has a long way to go, citing a memory of growing up in Alabama and seeing a burning cross.

"I could never understand it, and I knew that Americans and Alabama's history would always be scarred by the hatred it represented," he said.



Watch the speech below.



