Rockvale football coach Rick Rice misses game to be with critically injured son

Rockvale's Rick Rice had intentions of coaching his Rockets football team in Friday night's 3-6A contest at Coffee County.

But he missed the game, opting to say at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where his son, Austin, had his second surgery in as many days following a serious automobile accident early Tuesday.

Those around the Rockvale program completely understood Rice's decision.

"He had to be where his heart is," said Rockvale assistant head coach and defensive coordinator David Barger, who was the head coach during a 44-13 loss to the Red Raiders. "I told him I have a 12-year old son. That's where I would be. We all love football and the game, but you have to be where your heart is."

Austin Rice has been in and out of surgery at Vanderbilt since the accident, which occurred around 3 a.m. Tuesday in Lewis County.

Austin Rice, 25, was in critical condition with numerous injuries. He had surgery Thursday to remove pressure from his brain, and Barger said he had another surgery Friday on other parts of his body that were injured in the accident.

"The swelling on the brain is the main thing," Rick Rice told The Daily News Journal on Thursday evening. "They need to get the swelling of the brain down so they can work on other parts of his body.

"The best thing we can have is prayers from everybody. From Rutherford County to Wayne County, all across the state. Just pray for my son."

Austin Rice played for his father at Wayne County. The 2012 graduate set school records as a wide receiver for three seasons while his older brother, Tyler, was the Wildcats' quarterback.

After Tyler graduated, Austin took over behind center and led Wayne County to a 14-0 record and the Class 1A state title. It is the only state championship in school history.

Austin is one of three Rice children to play quarterback at Wayne County. His younger brother Preston passed for more than 7,000 career yards and led the Wildcats to the 2015 state quarterfinals and 2016 state semifinals.

Rick Rice is just more than a week removed from controversy surrounding him leading Rockvale's team in prayers twice during the season. The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a complaint on Sept. 20 to education board attorney Sara Page about Rice's involvement with the prayer, calling it "a constitutional violation."

Rice apologized and said it wouldn't happen again. Support flooded in for the 25-year coaching veteran, including students leading a pre-game prayer before the Rockets' home contest against Oakland last week.

Rice was hired as Rockvale's first football coach in January after guiding Wayne County for 21 years.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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