San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall has opened up about the terrifying moment he thought he might not survive after being shot in the chest during an armed robbery near Union Square last year.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Pearsall shared vivid details of the incident and the emotional thoughts that went through his mind as he fought to stay conscious.
Ricky Pearsall on the Moment He Was Shot
Pearsall described the experience as surreal, saying his adrenaline masked most of the pain at first.
He told ESPN: “My adrenaline was rushing. I didn’t feel, really, much pain at all. It was just more of like a burning sensation.”
A devout Christian, Pearsall said the shooting made him confront his deepest fears: “I’m very religious. I’m a Christian. I just didn’t know if I was going to go to heaven or hell.”
He also thought about his family during those moments: “I definitely thought about my family… not knowing if I was going to tell my family I love them again.”
Pearsall survived the attack and recovered, later being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, where he now plays as a rookie wide receiver.
Who Is Tori Moraga?
Ricky Pearsall went public with his relationship in January 2023, introducing his girlfriend Victoria “Tori” Moraga, who had supported him long before his NFL journey began.
Her Background and Education
Tori Moraga grew up in Miami and attended Somerset Academy before heading to the University of Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Dance with a minor in Health Promotion. She later completed a Digital Marketing certification from the University of South Florida.
Dance, Wellness, and Marketing Career
Moraga was part of the Florida Gators Dazzlers dance team and frequently performed at collegiate events. After graduation, she worked as a patient intake coordinator at a chiropractic clinic and later managed social media for a real estate firm.
In late 2024, she transitioned into medical sales, joining IQVIA.
How Ricky Pearsall and Tori Moraga Met
The couple met while attending the University of Florida. Pearsall was playing wide receiver for the Gators, while Moraga was performing with the Dazzlers dance team. Although their exact relationship timeline isn’t publicly known, they are believed to have been together since their college years.
They officially confirmed their relationship in January 2023, sharing photos together on Instagram.
