The San Francisco 49ers will enter this Monday’s contest against the New York Jets essentially healthy after a long and saga-driven offseason. However, last week, one San Francisco rookie nearly lost his life away from the team facilities. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was shot outside a luxury shopping district in San Francisco during an attempted robbery. A 17-year-old teen attempted to rob Pearsall of his Rolex watch, with a struggle for the gun ensuing. Pearsall and the perpetrator fell victim to gunshot wounds.
Pearsall has since made a miraculous and quick recovery, returning to practice, but will miss the season’s first four games after the team placed him on the NFI. Following the shooting, many close to Pearsall reached out via text but instead reached a 12-year-old Arizona boy.
Arizona Youth Receives Emotional Texts Meant for San Francisco 49ers Rookie Ricky Pearsall
Former ASU Sun Devils and San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall’s old phone number was recently activated in Phoenix by a mom who just got her son his first cell phone. Ever since he was injured in a shooting, his phone has been getting notifications nonstop.
Pearsall played for the Arizona State Sun Devils from 2019 to 2021 but was also born in Phoenix. He attended Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona, and is a lifelong Arizonian. Pearsall transferred to the Florida Gators in 2022, where the pass-catcher spent two seasons before the San Francisco 49ers drafted him with a first-round selection in 2024. Per FOX6 News, Pearsall’s old phone had received hundreds of “get well soon” texts before the child realized that he had the NFL rookie’s old number. The child and family have since supported Pearsall and wish him a speedy recovery.
In late August, Pearsall became a victim of an armed robbery gone wrong, eventually getting shot in the chest while en route to a signing in downtown San Francisco. The San Francisco 49ers star recovered quickly, much to the surprise of his head coach Kyle Shanahan. The assailant, a 17-year-old teen, was acquitted in court on Wednesday and offered his “apologies” to Pearsall.
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