Ethan Pritchard Shooting, Florida – FSU Linebacker Defies Odds After Being Shot in the Head

HAVANA, FLORIDA — A year after a shooting nearly took his life, Florida State University linebacker Ethan Pritchard continues to inspire with a remarkable recovery that has seen him relearn how to walk and talk and return to the football field.

Pritchard was a freshman at Florida State when he was shot in the back of the head on August 31, 2025, shortly after the Seminoles defeated Alabama in their season opener. He was visiting family in Havana, Florida, and was driving his aunt and a young child home when the vehicle came under gunfire. Authorities later said the shooting was a case of mistaken identity.

A Fight for His Life

Pritchard was left critically injured and spent 39 days at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, including time in intensive care. He was eventually released and transferred to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville to continue his recovery.

His recovery required him to relearn basic abilities, including communication and movement. What followed was a long rehabilitation journey supported by his family, medical teams, Florida State coaches and teammates.

Defying the Odds

Pritchard’s progress has been extraordinary.

By August 2026, nearly one year after the shooting, he was walking independently after previously relying on a walker. He also spoke about feeling better than before the shooting and asked supporters to continue praying for him.

On August 29, 2026, Pritchard walked out of the tunnel with his Florida State teammates for the team’s season opener, using a cane and wearing his No. 35 jersey. The moment came 363 days after he was shot.

A Story of Resilience

What began as a devastating act of gun violence has become a story of perseverance for Pritchard, his family and the Florida State community.

His journey from a hospital bed to walking onto the field has been marked by setbacks, rehabilitation and determination.

Ethan Pritchard’s story is ultimately one of survival and resilience — a young athlete who was given a difficult road back and continues to fight his way forward.