Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard is making steps toward recovering after being shot in the back of the head two weeks ago.
Per The Athletic’s Matt Baker, Pritchard opened his eyes in the hospital Sunday.
“It was something that was emotional for everybody, to be honest with you…” Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell said on Monday. “It puts all things in perspective, the appreciation of a blink.”
The incident occurred on Aug. 31, a day after Florida State’s win over Alabama in its season opener. Pritchard was driving near Tallahassee, Florida, with two family members when he was shot.
“Literally (Pritchard) was just in the wrong place at the wrong time…” Norvell said, per Baker. “Now he’s fighting for it every single day.”
Earl Pritchard, Ethan’s father, said Pritchard was driving away from a family gathering at the time of the shooting.
“He was actually in the car taking my sister around the corner to her daughter’s house to drop her off,” Earl told WFTV News. “They turned the corner, and as soon as they turned the corner, they heard gunshots.”
The Athletic’s Jenna West reported last week that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested four suspects believed to be connected to the shooting.
Pritchard, a true freshman, was a 3-star prospect coming out of high school, per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Norvell said Pritchard still has “major steps along the way” to his recovery, but opening his eyes for the first time is a positive development in what has been a tragic situation for a promising young player.
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