“He tried to rob me!” These were the chilling words that San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall uttered to Sgt. Joelle Harrell, who found him slumped by a post office box, blood pouring from a gunshot wound to his chest. It’s a scene straight out of a crime drama, but for Pearsall, it was a terrifying reality that unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Saturday afternoon in San Francisco’s bustling Union Square.
In the wake of this harrowing event, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Pearsall’s former teammate at Arizona State University, reached out to his friend. Daniels shared an update on Pearsall’s condition with ESPN on September 5, offering a glimpse into the emotional toll of the incident.
“I talked to him,” Daniels said. “He’s doing good. It’s just a blessing. That’s one of my brothers… we built that connection; we both went to college at 18.” The quarterback’s words paint a picture of relief tinged with lingering concern.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, former teammate of #49ers WR Ricky Pearsall, was asked about Pearsall today:
“I talked to him,” Daniels said. “He’s doing good. It’s just a blessing. That’s one of my brothers… we built that connection; we both went to college at 18. I don’t want…
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 5, 2024
When the news broke of the 23-year-old wide receiver being involved in an alleged shooting incident on August 31st, drama ensued. Pearsall, who had come to the airport after signing autographs was attacked by a 17-year-old who wanted Pearsall’s Rolex watch (valued at nearly $12K)
The gunman struck Pearsall in the chest, but most of his vital organs were fortunate enough to survive. He was released from San Francisco General Hospital on Sunday and is recovering at home.
On social media, his mother Erin Pearsall posted thanking God that her son was unhurt. The suspect, who was also injured during the incident, has been charged with attempted murder and other charges as well. As for the rest of it, 49er fans are crossing their fingers that he gets back onto something resembling a field soon.
It was a situation in which Daniels did not attempt sugarcoating. “I don’t want to see no one go through that. I told him he’s blessed. It’s a scary sight, but I’m happy he’s on his way to recovery. He’s doing fine.”
The road to recovery and Impact on Ricky Pearsall and the 49ers
The most crucial thing is that he has to heal up, however, the scenario has put a halt in the wheels of the 49er’s season plans. The wide receiver and first-round draft pick, who was taken 31st overall in the draft, was already figured to be a key cog in the’ offensive machine.
49ers General Manager John Lynch explained Pearsall’s situation at a press conference this week. Lynch said It’s nothing short of miraculous that he came out of this as good as he did.” He says Pearsall has been placed on the non-football injury roster and will be absent “four weeks, at least.”
However, in a way, Pearsall’s fighting spirit is already beginning to show. 49ers radio analyst Tim Ryan said on KNBR last week that Pearsall was back in the weight room trying to lift weights just days after the accident. “I talked to him yesterday, he was actually in the weight room yesterday, and he laid the whole story for me down and what happened,” Ryan said
Kenny Dillingham, who was Pearsall’s recruiter at ASU and is now its head coach, offered some reasons for the young player’s determination. “He didn’t get to where he was being under-recruited and turning being under-recruited into being a first-round draft pick by quitting,” Dillingham told the reporters on Sept. 5. “So, I don’t know him that well, but I know kids that are wired that way usually respond at a high level and that’s what I expect from him,” he added.
As Pearsall focuses on his recovery, the 49ers will need to adjust their game plan. The team has already made moves, signing tackle Brandon Parker to fill the roster spot opened by Pearsall’s placement on the non-football injury list.
It is also a harsh reality that such unpredictable challenges are not just restricted to the sport itself. There’s more to it than just being able to score running touchdowns and making tackles; there are some that fight through whichever blitz possibly comes their way. As in 2022, Pearsall’s father stated: “One thing’s for sure: He won’t be outworked.”. If that spirit holds for his recovery as well, we can expect to see Ricky Pearsall back on the field, stronger than ever.
Debate
Is the NFL doing enough to protect its players from off-field dangers like the Ricky Pearsall shooting?