Not even two years ago, RJ Holliday was smiling while putting pen to paper. He committed to continue his football career at Augustana University in South Dakota.

The two-sport athlete for Riverdale Ridge High School in Thornton had a dozen offers to choose from. He said he picked well and his new home at AU brought his dream to compete at a high level in college to life. 

“From the minute I walked on the campus at AU, visited the business college and met the football coaching staff, I could just feel it was the place for me,” Holliday said in 2022. “My goal has always been to go out of state and play football (NCAA) Division II or higher collegiately at a university with a great business school.”

Now, Holliday’s dreams are uncertain. Just as the redshirt freshman defensive back was gearing up for his debut 2023 season, a firework exploded in his face during a Fourth of July celebration. 

It was one he lit and it went off unexpectedly. The explosion caused severe damage to the left side of his face – burns, abrasions and a fracture. The most concerning damage was to his left eye, which required immediate reconstructive surgery by a specialist.. 

He spent days in the hospital recovering and in the weeks since his release, Holliday continues to see surgeons and specialists to monitor his healing. The facial burns and other injuries are healed, but his eye is a different story. 

Last week, he was told his eye is not healing as hoped. As a result, he will have to undergo another surgery on Sept. 7th. So, while he will still attend classes at AU this fall, he won’t be on the field with the team.

Instead, he has been designated as a medical redshirt this season. It means he’s still considered a valued player, just one that’s healing and supporting his team from the bench.

Holliday said he’s putting his health first and not rushing back. 

Stephanie Syner, Darius Richards, and Don and Nicole Phifer (coaches from Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver), as well as Riverdale Ridge basketball coach D’Andreu Phifer, organized a GoFundMe for Holliday and his family. 

“If you are able to donate at this time your generosity would go far to aid the Hollidays in this difficult time,” Nicole Phifer said on the fundraiser page.