Nine days following the scary shooting that had Ricky Pearsall fighting for his life, the San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver invited the first responders who saved his life to the season opener. The 49ers hosted the New York Jets in the first Monday Night Football game of the season.
Two of the members who operated on Pearsall were honored at the stadium as part of the Frontline Heroes of the Game segment before the game. Sergeant Joelle Harrell and Dr. Lucy Kornblith were the two in attendance. Harrell has been on the force for over 30 years and is a lifelong native of the Bay Area. Kornblith is an associate professor of surgery at the University of California San Francisco and a trauma and acute care surgeon at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. Both were among a handful of officers, doctors, and staff who worked together to keep Pearsall alive.
Heroes ???'?
Just 9 days ago Ricky Pearsall was shot. The first responders who came to his aid were honored at tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/urXoMWVg2n
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 10, 2024
After their introduction, Pearsall came out with two of his jerseys to hand out as a way to recognize their heroic efforts and as a token of his gratitude. The moment was emotional for all involved, and one can only imagine the connection they will always have as a result of that life-or-death situation.
Pearsall was shot in an attempted robbery in San Francisco on Aug.31. He was in critical but stable condition before word came out that he would survive the gunshot wound. He was released from the hospital on Sept. 1 and quickly spoke with his teammates to provide reassurance that he would be back stronger than ever.
His head coach, Kyle Shannahan, offered high praise for who he is as a person. Pearsall, who was the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list and will miss at least the first four weeks of the season. His coach will be eager to see the first-round pick back on the field.
"He's as tough a person I know, just going through a situation like that," Shanahan said in a press conference. "We always felt this way watching him on the football field and things like that. But to watch how he handled that situation and watch how he's been every day since, it shows how special of a guy he is."
Ricky Pearsall is hoping to be on the field for his first regular season game as early as October. (Getty Images)
During the broadcast, Laura Rutledge reported a conversation that she had with Pearsall, mentioning that he's dealing with "a lot less pain now." He has a new appreciation for life, according to the ESPN sideline reporter, and said he wishes he could suit up and get out there with his teammates.
A 17-year-old suspect has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting. The suspect, who appeared in court on Wednesday, remains detained in the city.
