Hugh Freeze remains in 'daily' contact with Brian Battie's family: 'He's getting better every single day'

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Hugh Freeze stays in almost daily contact with the family of Auburn running back Brian Battie, the head coach said on Tuesday prior to a speaking engagement.

“I text with them almost daily, if not daily. I get videos from them daily,” Freeze said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them and his family. He’s getting better every single day. He has a road ahead of him that’s challenging, but praise to God that he’s OK. He’s alive and he’s recovering and we’re thankful for that.”

Battie was cleared to eat food at a rehab facility in Sarsaota last week, according to Battie’s mother, Adriene, who posted on the family’s GoFundMe. According to Brian’s mother, he took a significant step toward recovery when he was discharged from the intensive care unit late last month, including making progress with movement and speech. According to court documents, Battie’s initial prognosis was “permanent paralysis,” according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The family said on the GoFundMe page in the middle of June, “finding strength through adversity” has been a journey, and “losing one son has tested our spirits…” The family is encouraged again by Brian’s progress, saying, “seeing our other son emerge from the ICU and make progress fills us with hope and gratitude.” The family offered thanks to everyone who has supported the GoFundMe page and offered thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Recent events with the Battie situation

AL.com recently reported that the girlfriend of the alleged shooter had been arrested for allegedly discarding the gun.

AL.com wrote, “according to the arrest affidavit, surveillance video at the scene of the May 18 Sarasota shooting where Tommie Battie IV was killed, and Brian Battie critically injured showed a white Hyundai Elantra in the parking lot next to where the shooting occurred. Deputies later determined it was a rental car rented by Nicole Roberts, 29, girlfriend of suspected shooter Darryl Brookins, the report states.”

The report continues, “Investigators determined Roberts drove the car out of the lot in the same direction where Brookins fled on foot. Then, the report states, Roberts drove north into Manatee County, the county between Sarasota and the Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area. The report states investigators found surveillance video that showed the Hyundai parked next to the Manatee River in Bradenton, Florida, and a female believed to be Roberts exiting the driver’s seat, walking down a dock and discarding an item.”

Last month, Auburn offensive coordinator Derrick Nix spoke about the situation.

“My heart has been heavy,” Nix told AL.com prior to an appearance at the Annual First Light Community of Mobile Football Preview and Mobile Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Mitchell Center. “Our team, our players, our heart has been heavy. What’s going on with Brian, we pray for him. We did today as a staff. I try to stay in constant communication with his parents and what’s going on. I actually got a chance to go and visit with him last week. It’s unfortunate, and we’re trying to do our best to stay positive about the situation.”

The Tampa Bay Times initially reported Battie faced the potential of “permanent paralysis.”

According to court documents obtained by The Tampa Bay Times, “The other Battie brother (Brian) remains in critical condition, with the prognosis of permanent paralysis if he survives,” the pretrial detention order for alleged shooter Darryl Brookins says.

Battie was one of five victims of a shooting that took place near the Tallywood Centre Plaza in Sarasota.

Battie’s older brother, Tommie Battie IV, 24, was also among the victims and was killed in the shooting.