49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital Sunday, one day after he was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in San Francisco, the team announced.
Pearsall was shot by a 17-year-old — who reportedly attempted to take his watch and was also injured during the incident before being taken into custody — in the city’s Union Square area.
The rookie had been signing autographs earlier in the afternoon before heading toward that location, according to San Francisco’s ABC affiliate.
Pearsall’s mother, Erin, wrote in a post on Facebook earlier Sunday that the bullet “exited out his back” after entering through the chest but missed his vital organs.
“First and far most I want to thank God for protecting my baby boy,” Erin wrote in her post earlier in the day, hours before the announcement of Pearsall getting released. “He is extremely lucky, God shielded him. He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. Thanks be to God it missed his vital organs.”
She added that Pearsall was “in good spirits” after being taken to the hospital in what the 49ers called “serious but stable condition” following the shooting.
“Life is so precious my friends,” Erin continued in her Facebook post. “Please love each other. My son was spared today by the grace of God. Please pray for my baby.”
Pearsall was selected by the 49ers in the first round — at No. 31 overall — of April’s draft following a collegiate career that included seasons at Arizona State and then Florida.
He collected 965 yards across his final season with the Gators and then joined a wide receiver room with the 49ers that already included Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
His preseason had already included hamstring and shoulder injuries, according to ESPN, but it took a horrifying turn when he became the victim of the shooting.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott told reporters Saturday that there was a “struggle” between Pearsall and the suspect during the attempted robbery.
“He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospital,” the 49ers continued in their statement Sunday.