Auburn Tigers running back Brian Battie continues his recovery after being discharged from the hospital, following a tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of his brother, Tyrone. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze provided an update on Battie’s condition during the SEC head coaches’ teleconference on Wednesday.
Battie was released from the hospital on Saturday, and Coach Freeze, who visited him prior to the teleconference, shared insights into his progress.
“We usually FaceTime once a week, either with Brian or his mom if he’s not feeling up to it,” Freeze said. “Yesterday was my first in-person visit with him. We had two previous visits planned, but weather prevented us from flying. I spent the entire morning with him, his mother, father, and sister before his therapy session began. It was great to see him.”
Freeze discussed the challenges Battie now faces in his recovery journey.
“He’s in a tough fight,” Freeze said. “The focus now is on recovery and rehab. His brain is still healing, and walking remains difficult, but his spirit is strong. He’s eager to return to Auburn for a game, and it was uplifting to spend time with him.”
Battie, who played in every game during his first season with the Tigers in 2023, was Auburn’s lead kickoff returner. He rushed for 227 yards and scored one touchdown on 51 carries. Before joining Auburn, Battie spent three seasons with South Florida, where he earned All-American honors in 2022.
Leave a Reply