I wrote a story for today's paper about Auburn safety Aairon Savage, who was recently granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Here's how it starts:

AUBURN, Ala. — It’s been two arduous years since Auburn defensive back Aairon Savage last played a competitive game of football, his legs ravaged by a pair season-ending injuries that would test the faith of even the most positive person.

But throughout it all — the ACL tear that cost him the 2008 season and the Achilles’ tendon injury that kept him out last year — Savage never wavered in his goal of returning to the field.

“Oh man, how can you let it go?” said Savage, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA last month. “I’ve been doing it since I was 5. It’s just something in me, man. When you’re out there, you’ve got 10 other guys with you. You’re going to war. You’ve got 10 other guys ready to go to war with you, why not go?”

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