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Ethan Pritchard health update: Father issues statement after Florida State LB released from hospital

by: Alex Byington10/09/25_AlexByington
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Florida State players are wearing No. 35 wristbands in honor of Ethan Pritchard today. (Matt LaSerre/Warchant)

The father of Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who has been hospitalized since being shot in the head in late August, released a heartfelt statement Thursday afternoon. This came shortly after the program announced his son was being transferred to a rehab facility in Jacksonville.

“I am so thankful for everyone who has prayed for my son. There have been a lot of ups and downs over these last 39 days, and it is remarkable that Ethan and I were able to leave the hospital together today,” Earl Pritchard said in a statement released by Florida State, via Warchant. “I want to especially thank Dr. Albert Lee and his team, the ECMO team and the nurses on the third and fourth floors at TMH for the care and medical expertise they have provided Ethan.

“Coach (Mike) Norvell has checked in every day and has been a constant presence visiting us here at the hospital, and his players and staff have continued to make us feel part of the team. I can’t fully express how much those moments have meant to me and Ethan. The Florida State Sports Medicine staff has provided consistent communication and collaboration with the wonderful doctors at TMH.

“I can’t say enough about the support we have received from our hometown and all of Seminole County. Coach Karl Calhoun and Seminole High School have created a tremendous support system for me, and I’m truly thankful for the culture we’re part of,” Earl Pritchard’s statement continued. “I also want to thank Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young and the FDLE for their hard work and dedication to pursuing justice for Ethan. My heart is filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support for so many people, and I’m so appreciative for every single one of you. Ethan has a long journey ahead of him, but I know he will continue to fight and he will do so with the full support of our FSU and Seminole County families, and all who have been impacted by his story.”

Ethan Pritchard health update: Florida State announces freshman LB moving to rehab facility

Florida State announced freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard has been released from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Thursday after nearly 40 days in intensive care following the Aug. 31 shooting while visiting family in neighboring Havana, Fla.. Pritchard will now be transferred to the Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville to continue the recovery process.

“Ethan is alert, responsive and able to communicate,” the Florida State statement read. “We are thankful for the efforts, thoughts and prayers of so many people and ask that you continue to support Ethan and his family as this process continues.”

Pritchard has had several positive developments in recent days, including regaining movement in his arms. He’s also been able to turn his head and open his eyes. Pritchard was hospitalized in critical but stable condition for more than a month after he was shot in the back of the head while dropping off his aunt and a 3-year-old cousin near the Havana Heights Apartments, located roughly 25 minutes away from the Tallahassee campus.

Officers in Gadsden County have since arrested four suspects in connection with the shooting, which authorities believe was the result of mistaken identity due to the model of his car. Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said the motive for the shooting was retaliation for another shooting five days earlier. While Pritchard was not involved with that earlier incident, Young said his vehicle looked similar to one driven by suspects in that case.

“We believe the same type car that Ethan was driving was involved in that shooting,” Young said, while reiterating multiple times that Pritchard had no involvement or knowledge of that situation. “Ethan was not — I say not — doing anything wrong in that area.”

— On3’s Thomas Goldkamp and Warchant’s Ira Schoffel contributed to this report.