SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In the hours following being shot in the chest during an alleged robbery attempt, Ricky Pearsall lay in a hospital bed with two pressing questions: Would he survive, and would he be able to play football again?
Doctors quickly reassured him he would survive, despite the seriousness of his injury. However, determining whether he could return to the field required extensive testing and a challenging night. By the morning of September 1, Pearsall learned that playing receiver for the San Francisco 49ers was still a possibility. The real confirmation came when he donned his red No. 14 jersey and took the field in his first NFL regular-season game against the Kansas City Chiefs—an emotional moment 50 days in the making.
“It meant everything,” Pearsall said, reflecting on his experience since the shooting. “After all the adversity I faced, it felt incredible to be back with my teammates. From the start of the incident, my thoughts were with my teammates and coaches, and they really supported me through this tough time.”
While his path back to football was faster than anticipated, it was also not entirely surprising given his rapid recovery at every stage. On August 31, Pearsall was shopping in San Francisco’s Union Square when a 17-year-old attempted to rob him, leading to a confrontation that resulted in both of them being shot. He was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was in “serious but stable condition.”
Pearsall described a poignant moment when Niners general manager John Lynch visited him in the hospital. “That’s when I broke down in tears seeing him,” Pearsall recalled. “It hit me hard knowing I might miss Week 1, and seeing him there made it all real.”
Although he was aware he would likely need to sit out for a while, Pearsall felt fortunate that the bullet had passed through his body, entering through his chest and exiting his back. After tests confirmed no significant nerve damage, he was discharged the next day without requiring surgery and placed on the non-football injury list, which mandated a minimum of four games missed.
Remarkably, Pearsall returned to the Niners’ facility within 48 hours post-shooting, quickly starting his recovery. He faced challenges with scar tissue around the wound but eventually regained full motion in his right arm and shoulder. This led to the opening of his 21-day practice window just last Monday, boosting team morale after a recent win.
Coach Kyle Shanahan noted, “We celebrated having him back. It was great for practice, and we were looking forward to easing him into the game.”
Though originally planned to gradually reintegrate Pearsall, the game’s dynamics changed when Deebo Samuel fell ill and Brandon Aiyuk suffered a potentially serious knee injury. This opened up more opportunities for Pearsall, who finished the game with three catches for 21 yards.
“He runs great routes, is fast and explosive,” said tight end George Kittle. “Injuries happen, and it’s about who will step up in those moments.”
With 1:32 left in the first half, quarterback Brock Purdy connected with Pearsall for a 6-yard gain. This modest first catch prompted a standing ovation from the fans, a moment that hit Pearsall deeply as he was celebrated by his teammates.
After the game, Pearsall expressed gratitude for the support and excitement for the chance to play again. “Physically, I feel great,” he said with a smile. “I could play another game right now.”
