Hugh Freeze shares update on Brian Battie's health, recovery: 'He has a road ahead of him that's challenging'

Auburn running back Brian Battie, who was one of several victims of a shooting in May in Florida, has been on the road to recover since a harrowing few weeks in intensive care. And it’s a long road that lies ahead for Battie.

His head coach, Hugh Freeze, shared a brief update on Battie and his condition when speaking with reporters recently. Battie has been on the right track, Freeze said, but is still facing a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation process.

“He has a road ahead of him that’s challenging, but praise to God that he’s OK,” Freeze said. “He’s alive and recovering and we’re thankful for that.”

Hugh Freeze says he talks with Brian Battie's family almost daily. "He has a road ahead of him that's challenging, but praise to God that he's OK. He's alive and recovering and we're thankful for that."

— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) July 2, 2024

Battie had been in the intensive care unit until mid-June when his family shared a hopeful update about his recovery.

Battie was moved out of the ICU and has “moved on to the next level of trauma care,” the family wrote on a GoFundMe page.

The Auburn running back was shot on May 18, along with four others, including his brother Tommie Battie IV, who was killed. Initially, according to court documents obtained by The Tampa Bay Times, it was feared that Battie could suffer permanent paralysis.

The update posted by the family on June 14 shared some encouraging results.

“He has made great progress this week and is communicating more,” the family wrote. “He is smiling, laughing and getting words out. His two favorite words right now have been Brother and Tommie. He was able to write his name yesterday.

“We are asking all our prayer warriors to continue to pray for Brian’s recovery and complete healing from the top of Brian’s head to the soles of his feet! He still has a long road to recovery, we are exploring all our options for the very best Rehabilitation care to cater to his Traumatic Brain Injury. Asking for God to lead our steps as we advocate and research the very best for our Son.”

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze addressed Brian Battie’s condition briefly at SEC spring meetings in late May.

“He’s getting better,” Freeze said according to Richard Silvia of the Montgomery Adviser. “Honor the family, I don’t want to go into too many things. But they appreciate all the prayers, for sure. It’s been a difficult time for the whole family, but he seems to be getting better each day.”

On3’s Thomas Goldkamp contributed to this report.