Auburn offensive lineman Dillon Wade was asked by head coach Hugh Freeze to open the door to the team meeting room to let in Freeze’s guests.

“I’ve never done this before,” Freeze said. “I have never, in 31 years of coaching, done this before.”

Behind the door was the wife of Auburn senior wide receiver Kassidy Woods, Kyli. And on Kyli’s hip was the daughter of the couple, Serenity.

As Freeze introduced his guests to Auburn’s football team, he also went on to reveal that Woods, who transferred to The Plains from Northern Colorado, had taken out a personal loan to pay for his tuition at Auburn so he could be a part of the Tigers’ program.

“He took out a dadgum private loan, just so he could be a part of your team,” Freeze said.

But Woods wouldn’t have to keep that loan, Freeze announced.

“Today I want to clear that debt for him,” Freeze began. “And put him on scholarship.”

Freeze’s announcement was followed with an applause and some exciting hooting and hollering by Auburn’s players as Woods made his way down to the front of the room to unite with his family and head coach.

“I’m so happy for y’all and you have earned it,” Freeze told Woods. “You come to work every single day with a smile on your face, you stay after practice and you serve this team well. And men, that is what it’s about. It’s about serving each other.”

Before all was said and done, with his young daughter in his arms, Woods took the time to address his teammates.

“God’s grace and mercy have really been over my life,” Woods said. “Y’all really have accepted my family and it’s just cool to have this experience with y’all. And y’all just seeing Serenity grow up. I just want to say I love y’all and I appreciate y’all.”

At Northern Colorado, Woods recorded 57 receptions for 633 yards and four touchdowns. While Woods has yet to appear in a game for the Tigers, as evident by Freeze’s remarks, he finds other ways to contribute to the Auburn football team.