'I beat death.' A year after being shot in head, FSU player vows to walk into stadium
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Nearly a year after being shot in the head, Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard plans to walk onto the field at Doak Campbell Stadium for the Seminoles’ season opener on Aug. 29 — 363 days since the shooting that nearly claimed his life.
“I don’t want to put no specific time standpoint, but I will tell you that I’m going to walk out there on the field, come first game,” Pritchard told the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network.
“I feel like I already beat the hard part. I beat death. This is just getting my body back.”
For the 19-year-old, the moment would symbolize the culmination of months of rehabilitation, perseverance and faith.
In mid-June, a Facebook video showing Ethan taking steps on his own without a walker in front of family members quickly spread online. The moment came just about 24 hours before his 19th birthday and served as another milestone in a rehabilitation journey that has continually exceeded expectations.
“It has really been a surreal moment,” he said. “Just knowing that I came this far from being shot in the head. That has been a blessing in itself. I’m very thankful and blessed for sure.”
∎ Read the full story of Ethan Pritchard’s recovery from Tallahassee Democrat reporter Peter Holland Jr.
A roar at Doak Campbell Stadium, Ethan Pritchard will never forget
One of the most emotional moments of Ethan’s recovery came Nov. 15, when he returned to Doak Campbell Stadium for FSU’s game against Virginia Tech.
Fans greeted him during the Legacy Walk, and later, when he appeared on the videoboard during the first quarter, the crowd of 64,937 erupted in applause.
“That was crazy. I didn’t expect that,” he said. “It’s still crazy to this day.”
The ovation reinforced why he chose Florida State.
“Doak Campbell Stadium is a different type of stadium, especially at night,” Ethan said. “Who wouldn’t want to come to Florida State and put on?”
The university continued to recognize his perseverance, presenting him with the Doc Fauls Rise Above Adversity Award during the Golden Nole Awards on April 30. Yet even that honor could not match the emotion of hearing Doak Campbell Stadium celebrate his recovery.
“It was similar,” Ethan said. “But like I said, it ain’t nothing like Doak Campbell because that arena, all I heard was a roar. That was crazy.”
He said he is most proud of how his recovery united the Florida State community — teammates, coaches, staff and fans alike.
While he dreams of one day taking the field in pads, helmet and the garnet and gold uniform, Ethan’s message remains the same for anyone facing adversity.
“Just keep pushing,” he said. “Anybody can do it. So just keep pushing.”
Alicia Devine contributed to this story. Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. Email him at PHolland@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ‘I beat death.’ A year after being shot in head, FSU player vows to walk into stadium
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