FSU's Pritchard exits hospital, into rehab facility

Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was released from the infirmary Thursday, astir six weeks aft helium was changeable successful the backmost of the caput portion driving his aunt home.

In a statement, Florida State said Pritchard is alert, responsive and capable to communicate. He is being moved from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to Brooks Rehabilitation successful Jacksonville for the adjacent signifier successful his recovery.

On a video posted to Instagram Stories by backmost Tommy Castellanos, the full FSU squad cheered Pritchard arsenic helium was wheeled connected a stretcher retired of the infirmary for the travel to Jacksonville.

"We are thankful for the efforts, thoughts and prayers of truthful galore radical and inquire that you proceed to enactment Ethan and his household arsenic this process continues," the schoolhouse said successful a statement.

Pritchard was changeable Aug. 31 successful what the authorities person described arsenic a lawsuit of mistaken identity. He was dropping his aunt and a kid disconnected pursuing a household enactment successful Havana, Florida, astir 16 miles from Tallahassee, adjacent the Georgia authorities line.

Four radical were arrested past period successful transportation with the shooting.

"I americium truthful thankful for everyone who has prayed for my son," said Earl Pritchard, Ethan's father. "There person been a batch of ups and downs implicit these past 39 days, and it is singular that Ethan and I were capable to permission the infirmary unneurotic today."

Earl Pritchard besides thanked Florida State manager Mike Norvell for checking successful each time and being a changeless beingness successful the hospital.

"His players and unit person continued to marque america consciousness portion of the team," Earl Pritchard said. "I can't afloat explicit however overmuch those moments person meant to maine and Ethan."

Earl Pritchard besides thanked the infirmary and Florida State sports medicine staffs, and the unit astatine Seminole High successful Sanford, Florida, wherever Ethan played, for the support.

"I besides privation to convey Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young and the FDLE for their hard enactment and dedication to pursuing justness for Ethan," Earl Pritchard said. "My bosom is filled with gratitude for the outpouring of enactment for truthful galore people, and I'm truthful appreciative for each azygous 1 of you.

"Ethan has a agelong travel up of him, but I cognize helium volition proceed to combat and helium volition bash truthful with the afloat enactment of our FSU and Seminole County families and each who person been impacted by his story."