Ethan Pritchard health update: Mike Norvell offers encouraging news on recovery from shooting

Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard has been hospitalized since sustaining a gunshot wound to the head in late August, but he continues to progress. The last week, in particular, has been huge on that front.

The family announced Tuesday that Pritchard is moving his arms, turning his head and opening his eyes. That’s a massive step in the right direction.

“It’s definitely been a really good last week,” coach Mike Norvell said. “There was some really challenging days in that time before that where there was a lot of uncertainty. But I just, we’ve continued to believe and be there for him and his family. I’m just grateful for the progress.”

Orlando television sports anchor Stewart Moore, an FSU graduate who has been speaking regularly with Pritchard’s father, Earl, shared an update on social media Tuesday evening. In addition to the notes about his movement, Moore also said that Ethan Pritchard is getting closer to breathing on his own again.

“Yeah, I mean it’s, thank God he is progressing,” Norvell said. “I got a chance to go see him earlier this week and it is truly a miracle some of the steps that we’re seeing. It’s still a long journey ahead, but just to be able to have an opportunity to be in that room with him, to see his eyes, to see the foundational levels of the growth and where we’re going to be able to go.”

Ethan Pritchard, a former three-star recruit who arrived for this season at FSU, was the victim in a shooting while he was in his car on the night of August 30th, after the opening win for the ‘Noles over Alabama, while visiting family in Havana, Florida. He was taken to a hospital in Tallahassee where he underwent a procedure.

He was in critical but stable condition after being hit in the head. Officers in Gadsden County have since arrested four suspects in connection to the shooting, with Pritchard being a mistaken target in the incident due to model of his car.

The tragic situation has left plenty in the Florida State community hoping for the best for Ethan Pritchard. Including Norvell.

“Just continue to appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that have been poured out to him, because I think prayer works,” Norvell said. “And God’s working a miracle in that situation, I believe that with everything. I just continue to lift him up for all those that have.”