San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall is “in good spirits” as he recovers from a chest wound he suffered in a robbery attempt, according to his mother.
“News about my boy. First and [foremost] I want to thank GOD for protecting my boy. He is very lucky, GOD protected him,” Erin Pearsall wrote in a Facebook post captured and reposted by The Athletic’s David Lombardi on Sunday, Sept. 1.
The NFL rookie’s mother went on to say that the bullet that entered Ricky’s chest during the Aug. 31 incident “came out of his back,” missing his vital organs.
“He’s in good spirits right now,” Erin added of the 23-year-old. “Life is so precious my friends. Please love [each other]. My son was spared today by God’s grace 🙏. Please pray for my child 🙏❤️.”
San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall shot during robbery attempt
Hours after his mother was notified, ESPN reported that Ricky had been released from the San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, where he was admitted after the Aug. 31 shooting.
According to the report, the wide receiver was listed in “serious but stable condition” and upgraded to “fair condition” on Sunday before being released later in the day.
San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall in July 2024.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty
Ricky was shot in an attempted robbery in the Union Square area of San Francisco around 3:37 pm local time on August 31, according to a statement from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).
Officers found an NFL player suffering from injuries, as well as another man, who authorities identified as a suspect.
At a news briefing after the shooting, SFPD Chief William Scott said the suspect is a 17-year-old male from Tracy, a town about 60 miles from San Francisco. The teenager tried to run from the scene but was quickly apprehended by officers, according to Scott.
Both Ricky and the suspect were transported to San Francisco General Hospital for further evaluation.
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Ricky Pearsall in May 2024.
Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
In its initial press release, SFPD said “a physical altercation occurred” after the suspect attempted to rob the athlete. “An argument ensued between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect and the suspect’s gun fired striking both Mr. Pearsall and the subject,” Scott later added.
Scott initially declined to tell reporters what the suspect tried to steal, noting that the department was not sure yet. Superintendent Aaron Peskin said Los Angeles Times that it’s Ricky’s Rolex watch.
Peskin, who represents San Francisco’s Union Square district, said police told him the teenager tried to steal the player’s watch, but “Ricky wasn’t having any of it.”
There was “no indication” the suspect was targeting the 49ers rookie — who was on his way to sign when the incident happened, according to FOX 40 — because he is a professional football player, Scott told reporters.
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Ricky Pearsall in May 2024.
Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
The suspect is in custody and a report is pending, and the investigation is ongoing and active, the police said.
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In the 2024 NFL Draft, Ricky was the first pick of the 49ers and the 31st pick overall. He previously played for the Arizona State Sun Devils before transferring to the University of Florida for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
After the rookie was injured Saturday, the 49ers shared a statement asking people to “respect his privacy at this time.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family,” the team’s statement concluded.
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