On April 24, 2024, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was on top of the world. The San Francisco 49ers had just drafted him with the 31st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They had just gone to the Super Bowl the previous season, but unfortunately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, Pearsall knew he had a real shot at winning a ring with San Francisco.
Then, just over four months later, his world came crashing down, and Pearsall wasn’t even sure he could ever play the sport he loved again. Now, almost a year from his shocking shooting, Pearsall is showing off the symbol of that horrific moment in his life.
49ers’ Ricky Pearsall Is Out and About in The Watch
In August 2024, Pearsall was shopping at the luxury stores in San Francisco’s Union Square when a 17-year-old high school student confronted him, demanding he hand over his Rolex watch. A struggle ensued between Pearsall and the suspect, and the new 49er took a bullet to the chest.
The juvenile suspect also took a bullet to the arm and flagged down police officers for help. Pearsall was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was considered to be in “serious but stable condition.”
Fortunately, the bullet entered the right side of Pearsall’s chest and exited out of his back. This allowed doctors to repair the damage, and despite having to miss part of his rookie season, Pearsall knew he would return to play once he fully recovered.
Now, Pearsall has been spotted wearing the watch that the teen had been after at a Golden State Warriors game.
According to a post on X, “Dawg: 49ers standout WR Ricky Pearsall pulled up to the Warriors game last night wearing the Rolex watch he was shot in.”
Dawg: 49ers standout WR Ricky Pearsall pulled up to the Warriors game last night wearing the Rolex watch he was shot in 😤👀 pic.twitter.com/amMcSWi57v
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman)
In the video, Pearsall shows off the watch. “All scratched up,” he says with a laugh. “It’s real personal now, though. It’s real personal.”
Pearsall’s injury did not require surgery and he was released from the hospital the next day. He was placed on the 49ers non-football injury list which required him to miss at least four games.
How Was Pearsall’s Rookie Season?
However, Pearsall did not allow any grass to grow under his feet. Less than two days later, he arrived at the 49ers’ facilities and began working out so he would be ready to return.
He battled scar tissue as well as damage to his muscles that limited his range of motion. When he was able to get back to full strength, he was finally able to take the field.
Pearsall took the field in Week 7 at home against the Chiefs. The team was clearly trying to ease him in, as he had only three receptions for 21 yards.
He made it back just in the nick of time. With Brandon Aiyuk going out with a season-ending knee injury in that game against the Chiefs, San Francisco really needed Pearsall to step up.
While Pearsall didn’t even come close to putting up George Kittle-type stats, he had a respectable finish to the season. In 11 games, he started four times, with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns.
