SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall says he was not sure of his destiny after he was shot within the chest throughout an armed theft final 12 months close to San Francisco’s Union Sq..
“My adrenaline was dashing. I did not really feel, actually, a lot ache in any respect. It was simply extra of like a burning sensation,” Pearsall advised ESPN in a sit-down interview. “I am very non secular. I am a Christian. I simply did not know if I used to be going to go to heaven or hell.
“I undoubtedly considered my household … not figuring out if I used to be going to inform my household I really like them once more.”
Recounting the Aug. 31, 2024, scenario in-depth for the primary time, Pearsall stated he noticed in his peripheral imaginative and prescient somebody approaching him as he opened the again of his automotive to put buying baggage inside his car.
Pearsall, who earlier within the day hosted a close-by autograph signing, stated he initially thought the individual was a fan.
“Then, I analyzed the scenario and was like, ‘OK, this man does not actually seem like a fan in any respect,'” Pearsall stated. “He was in all black, hoodie on, and he clearly had his gun out instantly.”
A bodily altercation happened earlier than the suspect shot Pearsall as soon as within the chest and fled the scene. The suspect, 17 years outdated on the time, was arrested shortly after by police.
“I had a sleeveless shirt on and, like, the opening was very visible, blood popping out in every single place,” Pearsall stated.
Pearsall, 25, stated he noticed nobody round to assist him till San Francisco Police Sergeant Joelle Harrell, who was blocks away patrolling the world on foot, arrived first on the scene.
“I had a way of reduction once I noticed Joelle, for positive, when she patched me up,” Pearsall stated. “We simply took a second to simply breathe and pray and listening to her voice telling me I will be OK, and simply to be robust.”
A bystander took a video of Pearsall standing and strolling gingerly to a stretcher. Pearsall laughs now concerning the scene depicted.
“I’ll have regarded calm, however actually I used to be freaking out,” he stated. “In my thoughts, it was like, ‘Let’s get a transfer on.’ Like, ‘Let’s get on the stretcher, let’s get to the hospital.'”
Medics transported Pearsall to San Francisco Common Hospital and Trauma Heart, the place he was listed in severe however secure situation. The bullet entered Pearsall’s chest and exited his again.
Fifty days after the capturing, Pearsall made his 49ers debut in Week 7 final season, catching three passes for 21 yards. Pearsall completed his rookie season with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns.
The journey to return to soccer was difficult bodily and mentally.
“Initially, actually, like, the bodily half, it was troublesome,” Pearsall stated. “My arm was principally, like, nonexistent. Like, it felt actually useless and scar tissue — I had a variety of soreness initially.
“However I wasn’t nervous about that. Like, ache wasn’t actually related for me. It was extra of the psychological battle so far as, like, PTSD is an actual factor. I’ve had just a few incidents the place I’ve been spooked for no cause due to simply replaying issues in my thoughts or perhaps, like, sure sounds or sure, like, actions of individuals, like, would freak me out initially.”
Pearsall has appeared in six video games this season, hauling in 23 receptions for 333 yards. The 2024 first-round draft choice missed six video games due to a knee harm earlier than returning two weeks in the past for San Francisco’s victory towards the Arizona Cardinals.
Pearsall stated it stays a continuing effort to maneuver ahead to attempt to heal his post-traumatic stress dysfunction.
“I need to dwell a cheerful life,” Pearsall stated. “Actuality is, I’m right here. I am alive. Quite a lot of good folks round me. I should not be freaking out about sure issues, holding myself again from the moments that I might be the place my ft are at and having fun with my life.”