It was a Saturday afternoon in late August 2024. Most NFL rookies were probably taking a nap or staring at their playbooks, nervously counting down the days until their professional debut. Ricky Pearsall, the San Francisco 49ers’ first-round pick out of Florida, was just trying to buy some luggage.
Then everything changed in a flash of violence near San Francisco’s Union Square.
Honestly, the details of the Ricky Pearsall shooting injury sound like something out of a scripted drama, but the reality was much grittier. Pearsall was walking alone near Geary and Market streets around 3:30 p.m. after an autograph signing. He was carrying high-end shopping bags—Louis Vuitton and Rimowa—and wearing a white gold chain and a Rolex. That’s when a 17-year-old from Tracy, California, decided to make a move.
A struggle broke out. It wasn't just a "give me your watch" situation; it was a physical fight for the firearm. During the scuffle, the gun went off. Pearsall was hit in the chest. The suspect was also shot.
The "Golden Wound" and the First Responders
When the news first broke, the sports world held its collective breath. A bullet to the chest usually means a long, precarious road to recovery—if you’re lucky enough to survive at all. But Pearsall’s story took a turn that left even trauma surgeons shaking their heads.
Sgt. Joelle Harrell was the first on the scene. She found Pearsall bleeding and used her hand to create a suction over the chest wound while using her other hand to apply pressure to his head. Pearsall, understandably terrified, asked her, "Am I going to die from this?" Her response was legendary: "Look at me. I know you don't know me, but I need you to trust me, it's not your time."
Basically, he caught the "lucky" version of a nightmare scenario. The bullet entered his chest and exited his back without hitting a single vital organ, major artery, or nerve. In trauma circles, this is sometimes called a "through and through" or a "golden wound." It hit muscle and nothing else.
- Injury Date: August 31, 2024
- Hospital Release: September 1, 2024 (Less than 24 hours later)
- Surgical Intervention: None required
- Mental Toll: Pearsall later admitted he revisits the trauma every night before bed.
It’s kinda wild to think about. He was shot on a Saturday and walking out of the hospital on a Sunday.
The Timeline of a Remarkable Comeback
The 49ers placed him on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, which meant he had to sit out at least four games. Most people assumed his rookie year was a wash. You don’t just "rub some dirt" on a gunshot wound and go run routes against NFL cornerbacks.
Except, that’s almost exactly what he did.
By October, just 50 days after the shooting, Pearsall was activated. He made his debut in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Think about that: from a trauma unit to facing the defending Super Bowl champions in less than two months.
His 2024 season was a bit of a rollercoaster. He finished with 31 catches for 400 yards across 11 games. He had a massive 46-yard touchdown catch against Tampa Bay in Week 9 that felt like the ultimate "I’m back" moment. But it wasn't all highlights. He struggled with the timing of Kyle Shanahan’s complex offense, and honestly, he looked like a guy who had missed all of training camp—because he had.
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Why the Recovery Process Wasn't Just Physical
If you ask Pearsall now, in 2026, he’ll tell you the physical stuff was the easy part. The "Ricky Pearsall shooting injury" isn't just a scar on his chest; it’s something he carries in his head.
In interviews during the 2025 season, Pearsall was incredibly open about the PTSD-like symptoms he faced. He talked about "rolling out of bed and running routes" because there isn't really a rehab protocol for a gunshot. You just wait for the skin to close and then try to ignore the fact that your body was recently a crime scene.
By the end of the 2025 season, we really started to see the player the 49ers drafted at No. 31 overall. With Deebo Samuel traded to Washington, Pearsall stepped into a massive role. He finished 2025 with 36 catches for 528 yards in just 9 games before nagging injuries (this time a knee) slowed him down again. But the explosion was there. The "Slick Rick" route running was there.
What We Can Learn From the Incident
Looking back at the Ricky Pearsall shooting injury, there are a few takeaways that aren't just about football.
First, the "it won't happen to me" mindset is dangerous. Pearsall was in a high-traffic, tourist-heavy area of San Francisco in broad daylight. Second, the heroics of first responders like Sgt. Harrell cannot be overstated. Without that immediate pressure on the wound, the outcome could have been drastically different.
Actionable Insights for Personal Safety and Resilience:
- Situational Awareness: Even in "safe" areas, high-profile individuals (and everyone else) should remain aware of their surroundings, especially when carrying luxury items.
- Trauma Response: Knowing basic first aid—specifically how to apply pressure to a wound—saves lives.
- Mental Health Recovery: If you’ve survived a traumatic event, the "invisible" injuries often take longer to heal than the physical ones. Professional counseling isn't just for "serious" cases; it's a tool for high-performance recovery.
- Perspective on Setbacks: Pearsall’s ability to return to the field so quickly was a mix of physical luck and an incredible mindset. He chose to see the event as a "positive light" to inspire others rather than a reason to quit.
The story of Ricky Pearsall is no longer just about a shooting. It's about a guy who refused to let a random act of violence define his career. He’s currently a vital part of the 49ers' future, proving that while a bullet can pierce the skin, it doesn't have to break the spirit.