Ricky Pearsall (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall was shot during a robbery this Saturday.
Pearsall, drafted out of Florida earlier this year, is considered to be one of the most promising first-year receivers in the pros heading into next season, but his debut should now come later than expected.
According to KGO-TV’s Dion Lim, the 23-year-old was the victim of a shooting that occurred in San Francisco’s Union Square on Saturday. It’s believed that he was targeted for his Rolex watch, while unconfirmed reports claim he was at an autograph signing at the time of the incident.
#49ers WR Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt over a Rolex watch while on his way to an autograph signing, per the San Francisco Police Department. There was a struggle for the gun, and both Pearsall and the suspect were shot. Both are in stable… pic.twitter.com/WeTSiHBObQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 1, 2024
San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall shot in Union Square. pic.twitter.com/tzsRctqSii
— VideoMixtape.com (@VideoMixtape_) September 1, 2024
BREAKING: multiple sources confirm to me Ricky Pearsall, 1st round draft pick for the 49ers shot in robbery incident in Union Square.
More to come… #SanFrancisco pic.twitter.com/3hrFtP6pO4
— Dion Lim (@DionLimTV) September 1, 2024
Fortunately, the player is said to be in stable condition. However, details of his injuries remain unknown.
Pearsall, who hails from Phoenix, Arizona, began his college career at Arizona State in 2019. He entered the transfer portal in 2021 ahead of a switch to Florida.
The wideout was selected as the 31st overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft ahead of a standard four-year deal.
The 49ers had not released a statement at the time of writing, and various outlets seeking comment had not heard back.
Ricky Pearsall Is The Second NFL Wide Receiver To Get Shot This Year
Ricky Pearsall is the second NFL wide receiver to get shot this offseason. Houston Texans pass-catcher Tank Dell also sustained gunshot wounds earlier this year, though he was not the target and just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
NBC’s Gia Vang has since reported that Pearsall’s shooter is in custody.
“49ers Ricky Pearsall has been shot in Union Square in an attempted robbery. According to Sup. Peskin’s office, the suspect is in custody and Ricky is in stable condition. His office has been in touch with Central Command,” Vang tweeted.
BREAKING: 49ers Ricky Pearsall has been shot in Union Square in an attempted robbery. According to Sup. Peskin’s office, the suspect is in custody and Ricky is in stable condition. His office has been in touch with Central Command. More to come. @nbcbayarea
— Gia Vang (@Gia_Vang) August 31, 2024
Our thoughts go out to Ricky, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
