San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall was seen posing with the first responders who helped save his life after he survived a shooting in downtown San Francisco. On Monday night, the receiver appeared on the sideline to support his team in street clothes at Levi’s Stadium, where he embraced two female first responders who held his autographed jerseys.
Footage from the game shows Pearsall hugging each of the women in an emotional embrace in the end zone while fans roared from the stands. The rookie professional football player then jumped in between the two, holding up his number fourteen jersey for the cameras. Pearsall’s body language clearly showed that he was grateful for the life-saving efforts they rendered to him.
For context, Pearsall was shot during an altercation with a 17-year-old suspect in downtown San Francisco when the teen allegedly attempted to rob the NFL player of his luxury watch when he was walking to his car. The suspect has been charged with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon, and attempted second-degree robbery.
During the physical struggle that ensued during the attempted robbery, Pearsall was shot in the chest, but miraculously, the bullet exited through his back without striking any vital organs. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recounted when he informed his team of the shooting incident.
“Yeah, once everyone walked in,” Shanahan said. “No one knew the exact story, so I was able to reassure everybody as soon as they got there that he was totally fine, and it’s a miracle. I think where he got shot is like two inches below his tattoo with praying hands. The whole story is kind of amazing.”
The American Tribune previously reported on comments from Pearsall’s mother who maintained that “God shielded” her son during the attempted robbery that nearly turned fatal. Erin Pearsall posted on Facebook, “Update on my baby boy. First and (foremost) I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy. She further noted, “He is extremely lucky, GOD shielded him. He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs.” She continued, “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.”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed stated in a press conference after the shooting, “This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco. Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city.” The mayor added, “This was a terrible and rare incident in Union Square, and our thoughts are with Ricky Pearsall and his family. He has a bright future, and I look forward to seeing him recover and get back on the field.”
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott explained that an altercation broke out between Pearsall and the teenage suspect leading up to the gunshot. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott. “A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued, and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject,” Scott said.
Watch Pearsall and the first responders below:
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.
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