It's been quite the year for Ricky Pearsall.
Just before last NFL season started, the then-rookie wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers was shot in the chest as part of an armed robbery attempt.
He eventually returned to the field in time to have a couple of big games in the season's final weeks, but he's had to continue to deal with the PTSD of what happened.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner released a new feature story on Pearsall on Monday, and it delved into Pearsall's feelings on everything that happened.
"Unfortunately, I revisit that every single night I go to bed," Pearsall told Wagoner. "I kind of just carry that with me. And now I think it's not as much of avoiding it or revisiting it or not revisiting it. It's more of how I deal with it and the light that I put on it. And for me it's more of a positive light and the things that I can get out of that and more of a positive direction and try to inspire other people ... I've been doing a better job of dealing with it myself."
MORE: Derrick Henry reveals his retirement plans
Pearsall made his NFL debut 50 days after he was shot.
In his final three games, he had 18 catches for 247 yards.
He's now entering a huge season ahead.
Brandon Aiyuk is out, and Jauan Jennings is at best iffy, so Pearsall might be WR1 in the season opener against the Seahawks.
"I've just got to be able to step in that role," Pearsall told Wagoner. "I look at myself as being able to be a guy that goes out there and makes plays."
MORE: Devin Hester Jr. is great at returns, but he isn't the Bears' Hall of Famer's son
Pearsall was the No. 31 overall pick out of Florida. The talent is clearly there.
And now, as he continues to adjust to his new life experiences, he's trying to make the most of what's next.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told Wagoner: "To watch it not change who he is, to watch it not change his soul and his happiness and how he comes off, I think has been the coolest thing."
MORE NFL NEWS:
- How Noah Gray matters in Travis Kelce replacement plans
- This Shedeur Sanders and Arch Manning comparison makes a lot of sense
- There was a problem with the Cowboys' $202.5 million contract offer to Micah Parsons
- Brock Purdy is going to win MVP for the wildest Marquez Valdes-Scantling reason
- Patriots' rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson is the real deal
- Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt fell to 7th round for wild NCAA reason