Andrea AdelsonSep 6, 2025, 01:51 PM ET
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- ACC reporter.
- Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
- Graduate of the University of Florida.
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The father of Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard was on the sideline Saturday for the Seminoles' game against East Texas A&M.

Earl Pritchard and another family member were on the sideline wearing his son's No. 35 jersey. Ethan Pritchard remains hospitalized in Tallahassee after surviving a gunshot wound to the head last weekend.

Prayers up. pic.twitter.com/NCTZyoxiTV
— Warchant.com (@Warchant) September 6, 2025

Florida State safety Earl Little Jr. brought out a No. 35 jersey to midfield for the coin toss, and Florida State players wore No. 35 wristbands to honor their teammate.

All Garnet with the Gold lids

Continuing to think about Ethan 🙏🏼#NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/FD6GSNpo5F
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 6, 2025

#NoleFamily 🍢 pic.twitter.com/HSTjx9e7xp
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 6, 2025

Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. wore a T-shirt with Pritchard's face on it during pregame warmups.

According to Earl Pritchard, Ethan Pritchard was driving his aunt home when he was shot in the back of the head in Havana, Florida, 16 miles from Tallahassee, on Sunday night.

The Seminoles routed East Texas A&M 77-3 on Saturday, after which coach Mike Norvell presented Earl Pritchard with the game ball and asked him to break the rock -- a tradition generally given to the player of the game after each Seminoles victory.

💛♥️ #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/kg2kJtMNRA
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 6, 2025

Norvell grew emotional as he discussed Pritchard during his postgame media availability.

"The way that he plays the game ... he loves it, he absolutely loves it. To know that right now that's taken away from him in a senseless act, you don't always know why you have to go through things in life, but I do believe God has his hand over Ethan and this football team," Norvell said.

"To have Earl here today -- he's a wonderful man, and being with him I know it's so very hard. I know it's hard for anybody to have to go through, but he told me early in this week, 'I know where my boy wants to be so I'm going to go stand in his place for him.'"