49ers player shot during attempted robbery
WARNING – BRILLIANT VIDEOS – Fox News' Christina Coleman and former D.C. Homicide Detective Ted Williams discuss the shooting death of San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall during an attempted robbery.
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will miss at least four games after being placed on the non-football injured list after being shot during an attempted robbery on Saturday.
The team's decision to place Piersall on the list came just 48 hours after the rookie shooting, meaning he will miss the team's games against the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots but will be eligible to return for the team's fifth game on Oct. 6 against the Cardinals.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said Pearsall, who was the 49ers' first-round draft pick in April, was shot in the chest and suffered multiple injuries by a 17-year-old boy who was trying to steal Pearsall's Rolex watch. Pearsall was released from the hospital on Sunday.
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San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall (No. 14) trains during mini camp on June 5, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Tearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Authorities said the 23-year-old NFL player was walking alone in the Union Square area just after 3:30 p.m. local time when a suspect tried to rob him at gunpoint. Scott said more than one shot was fired.
“A struggle ensued between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect, resulting in bullets being fired from the suspect's firearm striking both Mr. Pearsall and the suspect.”
Scott said investigators believe the boy acted alone, adding that there is no indication that Pearsall was targeted because he is a football player.
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FILE – San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall carries the ball during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp, May 10, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Pearsall's mother, Erin Pearsall, shared an update on the NFL player's health on Sunday.
“An update on my son,” she began. “First of all I want to thank God for protecting my son. He is very lucky God protected him. He was shot in the chest and the bullet exited through his back. Thank God it spared his vital organs.”
“My son is doing well now,” she added. “Life is truly precious. Please love each other. My son was saved today by the grace of God. Please pray for my baby.”
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Florida Gators player Ricky Pearsall (No. 1) catches a pass from Charlotte 49ers player Prince Bemmer (No. 25) during the first half of a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Gainesville, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Pearsall played five seasons in college from 2019 to 2023, spending his first three seasons at Arizona State before transferring to Florida State in 2022. His final season last year was his best as a collegiate player, recording 965 yards receiving and four touchdowns in 12 games, which led to him being selected in the first round of this year's draft.
Pearsall is not the first NFL rookie with high expectations in recent years to suffer a shooting injury prior to his first season.
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. was shot during an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C. One of the bullets struck him in the knee but penetrated and did no major damage. Robinson had been named the team's starting running back just before the shooting, but returned to the field just six weeks after the shooting, taking over the starting role.
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