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.[1][2] He made his NFL debut in October.
Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State. He had seven receptions for 128 yards as a freshman.[9] Pearsall played in all four of the Sun Devils' games in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 Pac-12 season and caught six passes for 86 yards and one touchdown.[10] Pearsall had 48 receptions for 580 yards and a team-high four receiving touchdowns as a junior.[11] After the 2021 season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.[12]
Pearsall ultimately transferred to Florida after also considering Oregon.[13][14] He suffered from a foot injury during training camp, but recovered prior to the start of the 2022 season.[15][16] Pearsall had five receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Florida State.[17] Pearsall finished the 2022 season with 33 receptions for 661 yards and five touchdowns.[18] In the 2023 season, Pearsall had 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns.[19]
The San Francisco 49ers selected Pearsall in the first round (31st overall) of the 2024 NFL draft. Pearsall was the sixth wide receiver drafted in 2024.[22]
On June 21, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers signed Pearsall to a four-year, $12.35 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $5.93 million and is fully guaranteed at signing.[23] On September 2, Pearsall was placed on the reserve/NFI list following a gunshot wound to the chest.[24] He was activated on October 19.[25]
Pearsall made his NFL debut in Week 7, and recorded three receptions for 21 yards in a 28–18 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pearsall caught his first career touchdown, along with 4 receptions for 73 yards, on November 10, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [26]
On August 31, 2024, a 17-year-old male from Tracy, California, allegedly attempting to steal Pearsall's Rolex watch,[27] shot Pearsall through the chest.[1] The robbery occurred in the afternoon in Union Square, San Francisco.[28] He was reportedly en route to an autograph signing event.[27] There was a struggle for the gun, and both Pearsall and the suspect were shot.[27] He was transported to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment and was released the next day after his condition was upgraded from serious to fair.[2] Nine days after the shooting, Pearsall had recovered enough to appear on the sidelines of the 49ers' season opener against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium, and to warm applause from the crowd, presented signed 49ers jerseys to the police officer and trauma surgeon who had saved his life.[29]
