Ricky Pearsall Bio
Richard Pearsall Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and Florida Gators. Pearsall was drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Pearsall was shot in the chest during a botched robbery attempt over his Rolex watch in San Francisco on August 31, 2024, and was released from the hospital the following day. He made his NFL debut in October.
Early Life and Background
Richard Pearsall Jr. was born on September 9, 2000, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in nearby Chandler, Arizona, and attended Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona. As a junior, he set the Arizona High School 6A receiving yard record for a single game with 342 yards on 14 receptions against Gilbert High School. Pearsall finished the season with 74 receptions for 1,153 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Arizona State over offers from several schools including Air Force and Hawaii.
Path to American Football
Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State University. He had seven receptions for 128 yards as a freshman and played in all four games during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 Pac-12 season, catching six passes for 86 yards and one touchdown. He had a notable junior season with 48 receptions for 580 yards and a team-high four receiving touchdowns. After the 2021 season, Pearsall entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately transferred to the University of Florida after also considering Oregon. Despite suffering a foot injury during training camp, he recovered in time for the 2022 season, where he had five receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns in a game against Florida State.
Ricky Pearsall Career
Early Career (2024)
The San Francisco 49ers selected Pearsall in the first round (31st overall) of the 2024 NFL draft, making him the sixth wide receiver drafted that year. On June 21, 2024, the 49ers signed Pearsall to a four-year contract worth $12.35 million, which included a signing bonus of $5.93 million.
Breakthrough (2024)
Pearsall faced a challenging start to his professional career when he was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt on August 31, 2024. Following this incident, he was placed on the reserve/NFI list but was activated on October 19. He made his NFL debut in Week 7, recording three receptions for 21 yards in a loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pearsall caught his first career touchdown on November 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, finishing his rookie season with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns. In a standout performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 17, he had eight receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown, marking the most yards by a 49ers rookie receiver in a single game since Jerry Rice.
Notable Works and Milestones
Pearsall’s signature moment came during his rookie season when he made a significant impact on the field despite the challenges he faced off the field. His performance against the Detroit Lions was particularly noteworthy, as it highlighted his potential as a rising star in the NFL.
Ricky Pearsall Award Nominations
Throughout his early career, Ricky Pearsall has not yet received any formal award nominations, but his promising performances suggest that he may be a contender for future accolades.
Ricky Pearsall Awards Won
As of now, Ricky Pearsall has not won any awards in his professional football career, but his achievements in college and his performance in the NFL indicate a bright future ahead.
Ricky Pearsall Family
Richard Pearsall Jr. is the son of Ricky Pearsall Sr., who is a captain in the Phoenix Fire Department and played college football at Northern Arizona. His family background has likely influenced his passion for the sport.
Personal Life
Details about Ricky Pearsall’s personal life are limited, but he has shown resilience and determination in the face of adversity, particularly following the shooting incident that occurred shortly before the start of his professional career.
