There's a good chance, especially if you're a San Francisco 49ers fan that you can recall where you were when you heard the news that 49ers rookie WR Ricky Pearsall had been shot in downtown San Francisco on Labor Day weekend. Pearsall was shot in the chest, with the bullet exiting through his back, during a robbery attempt. Miraculously, he survived his injuries and has been playing wide receiver for the 49ers since week seven. Last Monday night, Pearsall had his best game, catching eight passes for 141 yards. He even scored a touchdown, his second on the season.
Pearsall and fellow rookie WR Jacob Cowing joined team reporter Lindsey Pallares on the 49ers "You've Got Mail" podcast to discuss their rookie season. A rookie wide receiver has many ups and downs in San Francisco, namely learning Kyle Shanahan's playbook, which Pearsall said was the biggest challenge because it changes from week to week.
Looking back on the shooting and the recovery from that injury, what does Pearsall remember most about the lessons he has learned along the way?
"I don't know if there's really just words to describe that situation, but at the end of the day, I always say, 'There's light in all the darkness,' and I feel like, as a man, all the adversity makes you, really informs you, to be the man you are," Pearsall said. "I feel like that's a situation I'm in, and that was a big learning experience for me, and it only made me stronger.
"Luckily, I had an organization like this with a bunch of good people in here that had my back, a lot of teammates and coaches that were in my corner, and you know, they put a lot of people in my corner...resources to help me along the way to get back to where I needed to be. Shout out to them; they showed major love through that. It was definitely a crazy moment for me in my life. It wasn't expected, but I'm very thankful for it and would not go back to change it. I'm just super blessed."
Through 10 games, Pearsall has 25 receptions and 331 yards receiving. He's also added 45 yards on the ground. He may have started slowly, but Pearsall is beginning to find his place in Shanahan's offense. And considering what he's been through, it's remarkable that he's even playing.
Pearsall and the 49ers travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals on Sunday. He will look to build off Monday night's game, and the 49ers will need him and Cowing, with Deebo Samuel already being declared out for the game.
You can watch the full interview with Pearsall and Cowing here.