SANFORD, Fla. – As the Seminole High Seminoles took the field dressed in orange and black Friday night, one jersey stood out among them all: Ethan Pritchard’s number 9 jersey.
The team captain wore Pritchard’s number 9 jersey for the coin toss. Coaches, fans, and his family were also wearing his number.
The FSU freshman linebacker and Seminole High alumnus was shot at an apartment complex in Havana, Florida, over the weekend. His family says he was mistaken for someone else while taking a loved one home near Tallahassee.
Pritchard was shot in the head.
“Ethan was a star athlete here at the school and also an exemplary student,” said Seminole High School Principal Michael Pfeiffer. “He was just a good person to be around. Obviously, it was a tragic situation. We wanted to gather around and celebrate Ethan, our number nine, and do everything we can to support him.”
A GoFundMe page for Ethan and his family, started by the ‘Noles’ coach, raised over $100,000 in just two days.
The Bokey boosters club is also selling t-shirts to raise money for Ethan’s recovery.
[WATCH: Florida State football player Ethan Pritchard critically injured in shooting]
“We’re so blessed that we can do that, and obviously, prayers are amazing, and we’re all lifting them up in prayer, but financial needs are crucial right now,” said Michelle Wright, president of the Bokey Boosters Club.
Ethan’s family was in attendance, moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love. “It has no price on it—the love and support that’s been coming in. It shows that Ethan meant a lot to people who know him and even those who don’t,” said his uncle, Reginald Mims Sr.
Mims added that his nephew is stable but still has a long road to recovery.
“The person Ethan is, he’s a young fighter. He’ll be back on the field—not this year—but I see him being on the field next year.”
If you’d like to support Ethan and his Family, head to GoFundMe.