There have been many storylines around the NFL to start the season and many more about the San Francisco 49ers alone. Arguably the most notable one, however, was when first-round rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in a robbery attempt.
Now, over 10 days later, he’s already on the road to getting back on the field. His resilience has sparked NFL-wide reactions. What has everyone been saying?
NFL World’s Reaction to Ricky Pearsall’s Resilience
It all started when Pearsall was out shopping in San Francisco on Aug. 31. A 17-year-old reportedly went up to Pearsall and tried to take his Rolex watch. Pearsall didn’t give it up easily, fighting back, resulting in him being shot in the chest. The bullet, however, went straight through, and Pearsall survived.
Just a week later, Pearsall was released from the hospital and back on the practice field watching the team play. Pearsall was placed on the non-football injury list, making him ineligible to play for the first four games of the season.
“Through and through gunshot wound to the chest and Ricky Pearsall is out here without a sling while lightly tossing a ball with his right hand. Truly incredible if there was minimal pec/muscular damage. Overhead reaching will be key,” said Jeff Mueller on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Miracle.”
Through and through gunshot wound to the chest and Ricky Pearsall is out here without a sling while lightly tossing a ball with his right hand.
Truly incredible if there was minimal pec/muscular damage. Overhead reaching will be key.Miracle.
pic.twitter.com/u6H4QTKnPM— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 7, 2024
Players around the league have also taken notice of what happened. Pearsall’s former college quarterback in 2022, Anthony Richardson, spoke about it and the fact he reached out. “That’s my guy. We’ve been rockin’ together since college. So, you know I had to check on my dude, but he’s all good,” said Richardson.
In terms of his own teammates, though, Pearsall’s situation caught the attention of offensive tackle Trent Williams. Williams told the media that the incident motivated him to end his holdout in order to work out a deal and return to the team.
Trent Williams said that Ricky Pearsall’s shooting made him want to come back sooner more than anything.
He said he wanted to be there for the guys and around the team after the incident. #FTTB | #49ers pic.twitter.com/ZZ9uzoG1Yw
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) September 3, 2024
“To be real, I felt more compelled to come back after that,” Williams said. “So, in my mind, I’m like, ‘Man, I just want to get back and get around the team.'” Fellow wide receiver teammate Brandon Aiyuk also signed a deal to return to the team around the same time.
The 49ers will open their season against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. With the game being hosted in San Francisco, there’s a good chance Pearsall will be in attendance for his birthday, which is on Sept. 9.