49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall told Laura Rutledge that he felt like he could’ve suited up and played in San Francisco’s win over New York on Monday night, less than two weeks after getting shot through the chest. The 24-year-old rookie continues to defy all expectations during his recovery.
He also pulled an absolute baller move while in street clothes on the sideline.
Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery on Aug. 31. The No. 31 overall pick was back in the weight room just two days later. Even though he is already working toward a return, the doctors decided it is in his best interest to place him on the Injured Reserve list and sit him out for at least four games.
when the espn camera guy working jets-49ers zooms in at the exact worst possible time pic.twitter.com/FmV6SoZnDz
— Grant Marek (@Grant_Marek) September 10, 2024
San Francisco expects Pearsall to return in Week 5. For that to be a legitimate possibility is impressive considering how close he was to death.
Pearsall’s gunshot wound barely missed his vital organs. He bled profusely after a bullet went all of the way through his chest. His first question to the first responders was if he was going to live.
They were honored on the field during a very special moment prior to the game on Monday.
If just being there at the game wasn’t hard enough, Pearsall wore the same watch that sparked the near-fatal attempted robbery while on the sideline. He rocked the Rolex!
Pearsall’s attacker approached him on the street and demanded his watch. A struggle for the gun ensued. Both parties were shot.
Rather than shying away from the terrifying incident, Ricky Pearsall stood in the face of fear and wore the watch while watching his new team play its first game — without a sling or any sign of injury — exactly 10 days after the robbery attempt. That’s as resilient as it gets!