After cementing his place as one of college football’s premier wide receivers at Florida, Ricky Pearsall saw his dream realized when the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The 49ers locked him in on May 5, 2025, with the deal confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and multiple sources between May 4–6. The four-year rookie contract runs through 2028, with a fifth-year option available for activation in 2028 under NFL rules for first-round picks.
The fully guaranteed $12,000,000 contract includes a significant signing bonus, paid immediately upon signing. And Pearsall knew from the very start exactly what his first major purchase would be. “The first thing I’m doing is getting my mom a house,” he said. “She gave me everything she had, and now it’s my turn to give her the life she deserves.”
For Pearsall, the gesture is more than a financial decision — it’s a way to honor years of sacrifice. Raised in a household where comfort was often out of reach, Pearsall watched his mother juggle multiple jobs, sometimes going without herself so he could have what he needed to succeed.
“I remember her coming home late, still asking about my day, still encouraging me to keep working,” Pearsall recalled. “Those moments stay with you forever. Without her, none of this happens.”
With help from a Bay Area real estate firm, Pearsall found a multi-million dollar home that checked every box on his mother’s wish list — spacious rooms, a large backyard for family gatherings, and a kitchen designed for hosting the Sunday dinners she always dreamed of.
When Pearsall finally handed her the keys and walked her through the front door, the emotions were overwhelming. His mom broke down in tears, realizing her son’s promise had come true. Pearsall described it as a “full circle moment” — one that made every early-morning workout and late-night study session worth it.
The story quickly made waves among 49ers fans, who praised the young receiver’s maturity and gratitude before even stepping onto the field in an NFL game. For the organization, it was another sign they had drafted not just a physical talent, but a person of character.
As Pearsall prepares for his rookie season, he says this is only the beginning. “Football gave me the chance to change my family’s life,” he said. “I’m going to keep building on that — for her, for my team, and for San Francisco.”
