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Ricky Pearsall hugs the first responders who saved his life at the 49ers’ first home game

Ricky Pearsall hugs the first responders who saved his life at the 49ers’ first home game

San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall shared an emotional moment with the first responders who saved his life when he met them on the field during the team’s first home game on Monday, September 9.

The 23-year-old NFL rookie watched his team’s victory over the New York Jets from the sidelines of Levi’s Stadium after sharing a special moment with two police officers who responded to the robbery attempt that left Pearsall with a gunshot wound.

In a video shared by ESPN, Pearsall and two of the first responders hugged and posed for photos on the field before showing off their signed jerseys from the 49ers rookie.

The jerseys also appeared to contain a handwritten message from Pearsall, who was shot during the attempted robbery by a teenager who allegedly tried to steal his Rolex.

Among those honored by Pearsall at Monday’s game were surgeon Dr. Luck Kornblith of San Francisco General Hospital, who treated Pearsall, and Sergeant Joelle Harrell, who was the first to arrive on the scene after Pearsall was shot near San Francisco’s Union Square, according to ABC.

The 49ers defeated the Jets 32-19 in their first game of the new season.

Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery on the afternoon of August 31, San Francisco police confirmed at the time.

Pearsall was reportedly hit on the right side of his chest during the scuffle and the bullet exited his back, but fortunately missed any vital organs and nerves. He is expected to make a full recovery and return to the field.

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49ers general manager John Lynch said during a Sept. 3 press conference that it was “nothing short of a miracle that he came out of this as well as he did.” In the update to reporters, Lynch said Pearsall will be out “at least four weeks.”

Lynch had high praise for the team’s rookie, adding that the 49ers signed Pearsall “for the long term” when they selected him in April’s draft.

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall #14 of the San Francisco 49ers.

Brooke Sutton/Getty


“But first and foremost, we’re going to make sure he’s OK and ready, more than ready, when we get him back,” Lynch said of Pearsall’s status.

According to the San Francisco ChronicleThe 17-year-old attacker was also injured in the attempted robbery and both he and Pearsall were treated at San Francisco General Hospital.

According to prosecutors, the 17-year-old is accused of attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and attempted second-degree robbery.

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