SANFORD, Fla. – FSU football player Ethan Pritchard returned to Sanford on Sunday afternoon to a hero’s welcome.
“They told me I was getting an escort, but I didn’t expect it to be like this,” Pritchard said as dozens cheered, held signs, and wore his signature Seminole High School number 9 jersey.
Sanford resident Lisa Purnell called his recovery remarkable.
“It is a miracle. Sanford is really supporting him — the football team, the students, the parents, and everybody in Sanford. It’s great to see all these people out here,” she said.
Pritchard was shot in the back of the head on Aug. 31 while dropping off family members, in what the FDLE said was a case of mistaken identity. The incident, he said, fueled his determination.
[VIDEO: Florida State football player Ethan Pritchard critically injured in shooting]
“I’ll just say that really motivated me to go harder every day. Just seeing everybody wear my jersey back home really motivated me.”
After months of intensive hospitalization, video shared Thursday by Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville showed dozens of staff members cheering as a smiling Pritchard made his way out of the facility, ringing the ceremonial bell.
[VIDEO: Rejoicing at ongoing recovery of FSU player who was shot in head]
“It brought tears to my eyes, actually,” one supporter said. “It was amazing to see him do that and the support of all the staff at the hospital — just seeing him get out of there.”
Many, including his former high school teammate Omari Griffin — who now wears Pritchard’s number 9 — are grateful he’s alive and recovering. “I just wanna support him through everything, because I’ve been with him since the longest,” Griffin said.
Pritchard remains determined.
“Once I get my legs back working, it’s over with,” he said, adding that the community’s support helped him survive. “I was always giving out happiness, love, and everything. It ain’t no surprise to me that I’m getting that back from my city.”
Now that he’s home, Pritchard will begin rehab five days a week starting Monday.
“Y’all will definitely see me walking before next March,” he said.
On Sept. 10, four arrests were made in connection with the shooting.
The suspects have been identified as Caron Miller, 18, of Havana, Florida; Germany Atkins, 23, of Havana, Florida; Jayden Bodison, 22, of Woodville, Florida; and Anthony Glenn, 16, of Havana, Florida, FDLE said in a statement.
[VIDEO: 4 arrests made in connection with shooting of FSU linebacker, sheriff says]