Ricky Pearsall’s Embrace with First Responders Who Saved His Life Goes Viral

Less than two weeks ago, San Francisco 49ers 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall was covered in blood, riding in the back of an ambulance on his way to a hospital after being shot in the chest during an attempted robbery gone wrong.

Fast forward nine days and Pearsall got to meet the two first responders who saved his life that day, and they shared a touching pre-game embrace in the end zone before the 49ers’ season opener against the New York Jets on “Monday Night Football,” which also happened to be Pearsall’s 24th birthday.

Video of the moment went viral garnering millions of views, with the clip posted on the ESPN X account getting nearly 850,000 views alone.

Pearsall gifted Sergeant Joelle Harrell and Dr. Lucy Kornblith, who were both recognized as the 49ers’ Frontline Heroes of the Game, his No. 14 jersey, which were autographed with a special message written on each, plus autographed 49ers helmets.

Pearsall was placed on the non-football injury list, which will sideline him for the first four games of the season.

The 17-year-old suspect who shot Pearsall has been charged with attempted murder, personal discharge of a firearm assault with a semi-automatic firearm and attempted second-degree robbery.

Because he is a minor, the suspect’s charges were filed in juvenile court but a judge can rule on the minor's fitness and have the case transferred to adult court.