Ethan Pritchard leads FSU onto the field vs New Mexico State

Florida State's 2026 season has commenced inside Doak Campbell Stadium. Before the game kicked off, the Seminoles were led onto the field by a young man who has captured the hearts of the entire fan base.

Linebacker Ethan Pritchard, a three-star commit in the 2025 class, was the man leading the charge. This is almost a year to the day when he was tragically shot in the head after a cookout with family members.

Pritchard spent over a month in intensive care, and then several more months at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Brooks Rehabilitation Center in Jacksonville. He's been using the assistance of a walker for quite some time. However, he walked for the first time since the incident back in June, and he recently walked on his own, which is a miracle to see.

There were doubts about whether Pritchard would ever speak again, much less walk. He wants to play football again, and with how far he's come in his recovery, he is not a person to bet against.

Ethan Pritchard leads FSU onto the field! The linebacker walks the Noles out with Mike Norvell, nearly a year after surviving a gunshot wound to the head.

The best thing you’ll see all day pic.twitter.com/Joq9udnWfF

Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Ethan Pritchard leads FSU onto the field vs New Mexico State