The journey for former Florida Football wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in 2024 was one he will never forget. Pearsall was drafted in the 1st round by San Francisco, was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt, returned to the field 50 days later, and still went on to catch 31 passes for 400 yards during his rookie season.
The 49ers did not make the playoffs this season, however, and now that Pearsall has had some time to reflect, he wants to make peace with the teen who shot him back in August.
Florida Football: Time heals everything
Pearsall was speaking with local San Francisco reporters as the team wrapped up their season. He was asked about his year and was asked about what his feelings were towards the 17-year-old who shot him.
To the surprise of some, Pearsall claims he wants to forgive rather than hang onto anger:
“I don’t how he grew up so, I can’t judge him as a man just based off one action that he made. As violent as a crime as it was, God forbid him doing that to somebody else. I don’t ever want that to happen so… just being able to forgive him at the end of the day like, I have to be able to forgive him to have that weight off my chest.
At some point I do want to talk to the kid and make sure that, if I can create an impact on him in any way, I think that would be really big. I’d be definitely open to doing that.”
Pearsall averaged 12.9 yards per catch this season, ranking 45th in the NFL among wide receivers with at least 40 targets. San Francisco finished 6-11, but the offense was 13th in points per game. The problem for the 49ers is that their defense was 29th in points against.