I was shot in the chest during an armed robbery – surviving made me even more motivated to succeed in my NFL career
RICKY Pearsall has experienced rookie season unlike any other after cheating death.
Pearsall, 24, has a new sense of perspective after overcoming an unimaginable horror of being shot in the chest.
Pearsall’s opportunity to make an impression as the San Francisco 49ers’ first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was put on hold.
The wide receiver was shot through the chest in an attempted armed robbery just nine days before the 49ers’ season-opening win over the New York Jets.
Incredibly, Pearsall did not suffer any damage to his internal organs, with the rapid intervention from SFPD Sergeant Joelle Harrell playing a key role in him surviving the incident.
The 24-year-old returned to the field and made his debut in the 49ers’ Week 7 Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs.
And Pearsall has already started making his presence felt, scoring his first touchdown in a Week 9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His new perspective has been critical to the 31st overall pick hitting the ground running.
The receiver also credited the guidance of his parents as crucial to his success in emerging stronger from his traumatic experience.
Pearsall’s father Ricky Sr. is a captain with the Phoenix Fire Department.
"It's been everything to me," Pearsall told The Sun about his family bond.
"I have a really good foundation, I'm super blessed to have those people in my life.
“My dad's a first responder. So just seeing what really goes into that makes me that much more thankful for what I went through.
"By having responders come to me and come to help, basically saved my life within a day.
“So I have a whole different perspective and level of respect for those guys."
He added, "And then my mom played a huge role in me and my character.
"I think she made me definitely the man I am today and how to handle myself, whether I go to people's houses or even how I handle myself, manners wise around the building.
"My mom always taught me to make sure you treat everybody the same way that you want to be treated.
"Both my parents taught me a lot of different morals and values that I will take forever.”
Expanding on how the delay to his career increased his motivation, Pearsall added: “Yeah, I think it just changed my perspective a little bit more than anything.
"I've always been super motivated. I'm a true believer in that. I shout out to my parents for that again.
"And then just the whole new perspective that I have not to take any day for granted and you never know when it's your last day.”
I think it changed my perspective a little bit more than anything. The whole new perspective that I have not to take any day for granted and you never know when it's your last day.
Ricky Pearsall on being shot
Belief also plays a crucial role in Pearsall’s life on and off the field.
“For sure, just being patient, putting my faith into God, I think is the most important thing,” said Pearsall.
“Having something that's bigger than yourself is going to help you through those tough times like that.
"So the person I look to is God. When you're feeling alone, you're feeling that dark spot, he's going to always be there for you and get your back no matter what.”
Pearsall will play an expanded role for the 49ers down the stretch run as they attempt to find consistency and surge into the playoffs.
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A season-ending injury to Brandok Aiyuk has already seen Pearsall handed more opportunities.
And he's already made a significant impression through being himself and using the lessons passed on to him by his parents to navigate a rollercoaster rookie year.