Tallahassee, FL – Ethan Pritchard, a football player for Florida State University, shared a touching moment with his teammates at practice on Friday. This visit marked his return after a challenging period of recovery from a gunshot wound to the back of his head.
The incident occurred in late August, just a day after the Seminoles achieved a significant victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Pritchard’s injury required several weeks of hospital treatment.
Following his time in the hospital, Pritchard moved to a rehabilitation center in Jacksonville. His successful completion of the program was celebrated with a standing ovation as he rang a bell to signify the end of his treatment.
Pritchard is expected to be present at the Seminoles’ final home game against Virginia Tech on Saturday. On Friday, he arrived at practice in an electric wheelchair to spend time with his teammates and coaches.
Pritchard, a highly-regarded high school athlete from Florida, was the victim of mistaken identity during the shooting on August 31 near Tallahassee. According to investigators, Pritchard “was not doing anything wrong” when he was shot outside an apartment complex. Reports indicate he was dropping off a relative and a child after a family gathering when the incident took place.
In September, authorities made arrests of four individuals in connection with the shooting.
During an interview, Pritchard recounted the event, stating, “I remember everything. I turned the corner and shots rang off. I put the car in reverse and just backed up, and, after that, I don’t remember what else happened.”
Pritchard also shared his progress in recovery, noting that he initially couldn’t move his right side upon arriving at the rehabilitation center. However, he has since regained movement and continues to improve.
The Florida State community has shown strong support for Pritchard throughout his recovery. The team honored him during a game against East Texas A&M.
Pritchard’s journey is one of resilience and determination, and his return to the team is a welcome sight for his teammates, coaches, and fans.
