Auburn football receives an emotional surprise before the Iron Bowl

After suffering serious injuries from a shooting in May, Brian Battie made his return to Auburn and the team Friday, according to a video posted on X (formerly Twitter).

While he was left in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, Brian’s older brother, Tommie Battie IV, was killed.

In a July 20 update posted to the family’s GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $123,000, the Battie family wrote that Brian had taken his first steps with a cane.

On July 26, the family wrote that Battie was determined to make a full recovery and eventually graduate from Auburn.

Battie was released from the hospital on Aug. 24, but remained with family back in Florida to continue his rehab and recovery. The latest update regarding his status said that Battie underwent cranioplasty surgery and "is now on the road to recovery."

"We are grateful for the exceptional care he continues to have through this unimaginable time. A special THANK YOU goes to Brian’s incredible surgeon, Dr. Fine and his P.A. Brett Griffin,” Battie’s mother, Adriene, wrote in the update. “Their expertise, compassion, and dedication have made all the difference. They are a true blessing to our family!