Auburn running back Brian Battie continues to recover in a Florida intensive care unit after being shot in May, but his family shared a promising update on his condition on Wednesday.
According to a GoFundMe update from Battie’s godmother, he began to show movement in his left side and then, eventually, his right side on Saturday. He’s also recently been taken off a ventilator and had a tracheotomy.
“Brian is still currently in the ICU but we’re fortunate to share that on Saturday, Brian was able to give a ‘thumbs up’ to his mom with his left hand and showed movement in his left leg,” the GoFundMe reads. “The right side of his body had not shown any sign of movement until two days ago. By the grace of God, Brian was able to move his right knee and leg. This news comes as a miracle, but Brian is a fighter and always has been. Brian did have the ventilator removed this morning and needed a tracheotomy. Brian has a long journey ahead of him, and the Battie family continues to need everyone’s support and prayers as they are still grieving the loss of Pooh while praying Brian’s recovery keeps going in a positive direction. We thank everyone for all of the support, generosity, and prayers that have blessed the Battie family thus far, and we pray that it continues to lift them up through this unimaginable tragedy.”
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze addressed Battie’s condition briefly at SEC spring meetings in late May.
“He’s getting better,” Freeze said according to Richard Silvia of the Montgomery Advertiser. “Out of respect for the family, I don’t want to go into too many details. 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.”