Ricky Pearsall sparked the loudest cheers for the Monday Night Football opener between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets. And he did it without suiting up.
The rookie wide receiver shared a special moment captured on camera before the game at Levi’s Stadium.
Ricky Pearsall Embraces First Responders Who Saved Him
Just nine days ago, the first-round selection out of Florida was involved in a frightening altercation at San Francisco’s Union Square.
Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt over his Rolex watch. The bullet that was fired by a 17-year-old exited out of his back and missed his vital organs. Miraculously, Pearsall was released one day later on Sept. 1 by the hospital in “fair” condition.
Heroes ❤️💛
Just 9 days ago Ricky Pearsall was shot. The first responders who came to his aid were honored at tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/urXoMWVg2n
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 10, 2024
He ended up with two people to thank: the first responders who saved him during that altercation.
Pearsall was placed on the non-football injury list ahead of the 49ers-Jets contest. But still, his appearance drew a loud roar especially when he brought out the pair who kept him alive.
Who Are the First Responders Who Saved Pearsall?
Sergeant Joelle Harrell and Dr. Lucy Kornblith were on hand getting embraced by Pearsall and earning their praise from the 49ers Faithful. Both were recognized as the Frontline Heroes of the Game by the 49ers.
Per the San Francisco Chronicle, Harrell was standing on the corner of Grant and Post Streets around 3:30 p.m. PT when she heard three gunshots nearby. At first, she admitted she thought originally it was skateboarders who frequent Maiden Lane — except the noise was considered to be too loud to come from the grinding of the board’s wheels.
READ MORE: NFL World Reacts to Ricky Pearsall’s Resilience: ‘Miracle’
She became the first police officer to arrive on the scene. Harrell helped use Pearsall’s shirt to press it into his chest, creating pressure on the wound.
“I was using my hand for the front just to create a suction so the air wouldn’t enter the wound,” Harrell said.
As Pearsall started to panic about possibly losing his life, Harrell shared these words:
“You’re strong,” she kept telling him. “Just focus on the breathing.”
An ambulance eventually arrived to get Pearsall over to the nearest hospital. But the San Francisco Police veteran was the first to take action to save the 49ers WR.
Kornblith performed the life-saving surgery for Pearsall. She’s an MD for the University of California San Francisco who specializes in trauma surgery and surgical critical care, according to her biography.
Kornblith has a decorated medical résumé that includes earning the George H.A. Clownes Jr. Memorial Research Career Development Award by the American College of Surgeons in 2023. She was also honored by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma by placing her as a member of the top-40 under-40 female surgeons.
Pearsall presented both with autographed jerseys as they were honored.