TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Ethan Pritchard returned to Doak Campbell Stadium in a wheelchair Saturday, with the freshman linebacker reuniting with his Florida State teammates as he continues to rehabilitate from a gunshot wound to the head on Aug. 31.
And his dad, Earl Pritchard, said Ethan plans to walk with goals of returning to school in early January for Florida State’s spring semester — and playing football with the Seminoles in the fall.
“He’s coming back on that field,” Earl told The Associated Press before Saturday’s Virginia Tech-Florida State game, an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup the Seminoles won 34-14. “He’ll be back next year. When the season starts back, he’ll be out there full stride.”
Ethan was shot while taking his aunt and a 3-year-old back to their apartment in Havana, just south of the Florida-Georgia border. Law enforcement officials said Pritchard did nothing wrong and think he was mistaken for another man because. of his. Four men, including a juvenile, have been arrested in the case.
“I turned the corner, and shots rang off,” Ethan told WESH-TV on Thursday. “I put the car in reverse and just backed up, and after that, I don’t remember what else happened.”
After he was released from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Pritchard began his rehabilitation in Jacksonville. Ethan was released Thursday and attended Florida State’s practice Friday. Earl said his son will now recover back home in Sanford, near Orlando, but will also make trips back to Jacksonville.
“He shocked the doctors,” Earl said. “The doctors didn’t even expect it. But because of his determination, they just sit back and watch like we do. Enjoy the ride.”
Ethan smiled as he was surrounded by his father and other family members, and they greeted the Seminoles as their team buses arrived at the stadium. Florida State strength and conditioning coach Josh Storms handed the team’s sledgehammer — which is used to break a rock after wins as well as during key moments in the offseason — to Earl.
Florida State fans walked over to Ethan to smile, hug and take photos with him. Ethan has remained positive throughout his recovery, and his optimism was obvious in his smile Saturday.
“Because he can come do this right here, hang out with his buddies and be out there on the field with them,” Earl said. “He’s out there having fun now.”
Earl said he was appreciative of Florida State coach Mike Norvell, his staff and players for their encouragement throughout the past few months. Ethan and his family were shown on the videoboard enjoying the game from a luxury box.
“Florida State is the best,” Earl said. “A lot of people talk the talk, but Florida State walks it. They’re good people. Not just Coach Norvell.”
Friends started a GoFundMe to help support Ethan and his family’s medical needs. More than $148,000 had been raised as of Saturday evening.
“First of all, thank you to all the people that we don’t even know that prayed, still praying, donated and everything,” Earl said. “And it’s not going to waste. Trust me, it’s going to good use. It’s all being used on him. Thank you for the prayers. We are still making progress.
“He’s going to come to class. He’ll be back in class. Even if he comes in a wheelchair. But I think he’ll be walking by then.”