Earl Pritchard, the father of Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard, and his son were honored during and after FSU’s 77-3 victory over East Texas A&M on Saturday.
Pritchard’s son was shot this past Sunday in Havana, a town about 16 miles northwest of Tallahassee. Ethan Pritchard remains stable but in critical condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where had surgery for a gunshot to the back of the head.
Seminole LB Ethan Pritchard stays true to mother he never knew, commits to FSU
On Saturday, Earl Pritchard was on the sidelines during the Seminoles’ victory, decked out in a gold FSU jersey with Ethan’s No. 35 and Pritchard embroidered across the back. After the win, Earl Pritchard was honored with being the one to break the victory “rock” in the FSU locker room, a traditional custom after FSU victories.
In the locker room, head coach Mike Norvell told his players before handing Earl Pritchard the game ball: “Ethan’s dad came to spend the day with us. He told me the other day this is where his boy wants him to be. We got it done for him,” Norvell said, handing the game ball to Earl. “I want you to take that to him.”
Norvell has been trying to keep his players abreast of Ethan’s situation and had this to say on Tuesday:
“I talked to Ethan’s dad this morning. I’m trying to check on him, check on Ethan. I was able to go by yesterday for a short period of time with limited visitation, just getting a chance to be there for a handful of minutes. It was good to be with him,” Norvell said.
Seminole High head coach Karl Calhoun set up a GoFundMe page for the Pritchard family and as of Saturday at 5 p.m., $116,552 had been raised.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
