‘He asked me if he was going to die’: What happened to San Francisco 49ers’ rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall?

Last Sunday, the Chiefs extended their unbeaten run to six games, winning 28-18 against the San Francisco 49ers clashed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet, even with this loss, the 49ers’ fans found reasons to smile as they left the stadium. What truly lifted their spirits wasn’t the score, but the long-anticipated debut of rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. 

After 50 days of waiting, fans finally got to see the 31st overall pick in action, and his presence on the field felt like a victory in itself. His debut was a bright moment on what could have been a disappointing day for the 49ers faithful. As fans made their way home, some couldn’t help but wonder: what if that day had taken a different turn?

A shopping trip turns tragic

On Aug. 31, just six days after the 49ers wrapped up their preseason camp, Ricky Pearsall was out enjoying a bit of high-end shopping in San Francisco’s Union Square when he was confronted by a 17-year-old armed with a semi-automatic firearm, intent on robbing him. What could have been a quick theft quickly spiraled into violence, and amid the commotion, two shots were fired. Both Pearsall and the assailant were struck, with Pearsall unfortunately taking the brunt of the damage as the bullet tore through his chest.

Pearsall was rushed to the hospital, where officers had already rendered aid to both individuals. News of the shooting spread and the NFL community was left in shock. The 49ers’ official statement confirmed Pearsall was in “serious but stable condition,” heightening fans’ concerns. San Francisco Police Sergeant Joelle Harrell, one of the first responders on the scene, later recounted her interaction with Pearsall. “He asked me if he was going to die. I told him he was strong, just like on the field. I told him to be strong,” Harrell said, reflecting on those critical moments.

Despite the serious extent of the injury, Pearsall’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Doctors revealed that, while the bullet passed through his chest, it narrowly missed vital organs and caused no significant nerve damage. Just five days after the shooting, Pearsall had already resumed training, a testament to both his physical resilience and the swift medical care he received.

Triumph through adversity: The road ahead for Pearsall.

Despite the shocking events of Aug. 31, Ricky Pearsall is determined to leave the dark cloud behind and continue his ascent in the NFL. His resilience was on display during the 49ers’ recent 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, where Pearsall caught 3-of-5 targets for 21 yards. It wasn’t a breakout game by any means, but with fellow wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk going down with a right knee injury, feared by most to be an ACL tear, Pearsall might have a bigger role to fill this season.

Now, with the possible extended absence of Aiyuk and veteran Juan Jennings sidelined with a hip injury, Pearsall could be called upon more frequently to step into the spotlight. The opportunity is bittersweet, coming in the wake of both personal tragedy and teammate injuries, but it could be the chance for Pearsall to prove why the 49ers saw him as a first-round pick.

If Pearsall’s journey from recovery to the field has taught us anything, it’s that he’s not just a rookie with talent, he’s a player with grit. And that’s exactly what the 49ers need as they navigate a season riddled with adversity.