Ricky Pearsall calmly stared into a camera and described his changed life.
The first question that Pearsall had after he was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt was whether he would still be able to play for the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie wide receiver.
“Everybody thinks that they know what they would do in that situation until you’re in it,” Pearsall exclusively told talkSPORT.
“That’s what I found out about myself is, ‘I’m not going.'”
On the one-year anniversary of a gunshot wound that could have ended his life, the 24-year-old is embracing a new key role within San Francisco’s offense and ultimately grateful for a surreal and scary moment that he is still processing.
“It hit me yesterday,” said Pearsall, who was shot after signing autographs for fans.
“I woke up to some text messages and I was kind of talking about it a few days before that, a week before that. I was like, ‘My gosh, it’s already been a year.’
“And when it became that day where it was a year, I kind of forgot about it. Then obviously I woke up to some text messages from my loved ones and my friends. And it was a good day to just reflect and be thankful that I’m still here, thankful that I still got a lot of good people around me to be able to show love.”
The 6ft 1in and 189lb Pearsall described a changed life perspective while preparing for a Week 1 road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
He played in 11 games (four starts) after his recovery, catching 31 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns.
Simply taking the field last season for the 49ers was a huge achievement for a former Arizona State and Florida star receiver who was drafted with the No. 31 overall pick in 2024.
“I’ve grew as a person, for sure,” Pearsall said.
x@KTVUA bleeding Ricky Pearsall was wheeled into an ambulance[/caption] He still contributed as a rookie with the 49ersGetty talksportPearsall and new 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. both survived shootings[/caption]“It’s changed a lot of things, man. And I like to say I was reborn again because I feel like a completely different person. And I’m able to give all my glory to God because he’s the one who’s kept me in this fleshly life and on this world.
“I’m super excited to be here with all my teammates, too, because those are the people that drive me every single day to do what I love.”
Pearsall’s mother, Erin, first updated NFL followers across the globe on his status after a robbery attempt in downtown San Francisco on September 1, 2024.
“Update on my baby boy. First and far most I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy. He is extremely lucky, GOD shielded him,” Erin posted at the time.
“He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs. He is in good spirits right now.
“Life is so precious my friends. Please love each other. My son was spared today by the grace of GOD. Please pray for my baby.”
A year later, Pearsall has a new 49ers teammate who can personally relate to his life-changing experience.
Fourth-year running back Brian Robinson Jr. was traded by the Washington Commanders to the 49ers in August for a future sixth-round pick.
Robinson also survived an armed robbery attempt, and was shot twice in the lower body in August 2022.
“We just told each other our stories,” Pearsall said.
“Being able to go back and reflect on something that can directly relate to you. … We both had similar situations happen to it. So, yeah, we talked about it. We were able to reflect and relate in a way. And we’re really excited to have him on this team.”
With injuries to Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk, Pearsall is set to be the 49ers’ primary receiver in Week 1.
Special relationship
Pearsall on 49ers QB Brock Purdy
Pearsall to talkSPORT: “Being in a locker room with him and then the outside perspective, he’s just the same guy. He’s the same guy, on and off the field. He talks about it. He acts about it. He stands on business. He’s a real humble guy. But when he steps on that football field, he’s ready to go and he’s about his business, and I really appreciate that about Brock.
“We’re always communicating with each other, going back to talking about the trust and rhythm and throwing with him. We’re always talking between plays and asking him if the timing was good.
“As far as individually, he’s taking big strides. That leadership role, that’s big for him. He’s a really good leader, man, and all the guys respect him and enjoy being around him and going to war with him. He broke it down today after practice and he was like, ‘Let’s go to war.’ That just shows Brock’s tenacity and what he’s about.”
San Francisco has perfected the art of annual bouncebacks after down years under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
When the 49ers went 6-10 in 2020, they answered with a 10-7 season that led to a near-Super Bowl win against Patrick Mahomes‘ Kansas City Chiefs two years later.
Pearsall acknowledged that he was ‘thrown into the fire’ as a rookie, and he’s been pushed hard by Shanahan during practices.
A year after the scariest day of his life, the reborn Pearsall has never been more ready for Week 1 and a new beginning in the NFL.
“I’m super excited, man,” Pearsall said.
“If you want to be the best, you gotta beat the best. Going against the best guys in the league, I’m all for that. I’m super excited to be able to do that.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of, and I’m ready to compete and go out there and get to it.”
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