Ethan Pritchard update: Mike Norvell reveals positive development in recovery from shooting

Florida State LB Ethan Pritchard is still in recovery from a shooting that took place back on August 30th. He’s making progress, though, according to Mike Norvell.

Norvell shared the latest on Pritchard during his press conference on Monday. He said he had gone to see him earlier this morning, with Pritchard showing positive steps with something as simple as having blinked with his eyes.

“Yeah, you know, I actually went by and saw him this morning, and there has been progress. And, you know, yesterday, you know, he opened his eyes, and it was something that, you know, was emotional for everybody, to be honest with you,” said Norvell. “You know, it’s still a long part of the process, in this process moving forward. But, it was – it puts all things in perspective – the appreciation of a blink. And, you know, he is fighting. His family, you know, is there, so very supportive. There’s still some, you know, major steps along the way that we’re all going to be believing for and supporting and continuing in our prayers. But, you know, just grateful for him, grateful for his family.”

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

“To be able to be there and see Ethan, a young man that, you know, for all things? Like, literally was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, a mistaken situation. But, you know, now he’s fighting for it every single day. And, to be able to see, you know, the work of the medical team?” Norvell said. “I came in on Sunday and, you know, as it happened yesterday, I walked in that team meeting and I had probably one of the biggest smiles on my face, you know, just to tell them that he had taken a positive step, and to see their reaction and their love for this young man that’s just been here for a short period of time but is a part of their family.”

With that, Norvell also used this development to make a call to action, especially in the aftermath of further gun violence nationally over the past week. He called for everyone to be better about caring for one another and treating every life as precious as it should be seen.

“Ultimately, you know, as we go through life? I mean, it is so very precious, and I think that, you know, even just, in our world right now, it is a very challenging time, and I think that we see, you know, just so many things around that we do have a responsibility. We’re called on this Earth to love one another. And, you know, there’s going to be plenty of difference and plenty of things that we all have, you know. But, to be able to – and it’s a challenge to me and it’s a challenge to everybody that’s out there to be the example,” said Norvell. “You know, we’re all going to have our faults, we’re all going to have our differences, you know, and all those things. But, to truly just love one another and to be able to work and to be a part of the good that’s out there, you know, because there’s too many things that are happening that, you know – just the value of life and just the appreciation of what we get to do here on this Earth is special.”

“You know, I think we all have a responsibility to help push and make this world better,” Norvell continued. “For whatever beliefs, thoughts, you know, experiences you have to go through? I mean, you know, to be able to lead with love and to be kind and empathetic to others, you know, I think is a big challenge for all of us, but it’s something that we all need to be willing to rise up and be the example for.”

Pritchard has a ways to go still in his recovery from the shooting. Still, the Seminoles sound optimistic based on the latest from his rehabilitation at the hospital.

“We’re going to be continue to be praying for him and believing for great days ahead,” said Norvell.