Former MLB pitcher Mark Mulder has unleashed a scathing critique of San Francisco, labeling it an “absolute hell hole” following the shooting of NFL rookie Ricky Pearsall during a failed robbery attempt in the city. The incident, which took place on Saturday night, has sparked intense reactions, particularly from Mulder, who didn’t hold back in his condemnation of the city and its leadership.
Pearsall, a promising wide receiver drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, was shot in the chest while being targeted for his Rolex watch in downtown San Francisco. The 23-year-old was initially listed in serious but stable condition and was thankfully released from the hospital on Sunday, much to the relief of his fans and teammates.
In response to the shocking incident, Mulder, a two-time MLB All-Star who made his name with the Oakland Athletics, took to social media to express his outrage. Referring to San Francisco, which was recently voted America’s worst-run city, Mulder criticized what he sees as the city’s decline under liberal leadership.
He shared a video of Pearsall being loaded into an ambulance on the platform X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote: “What an absolute hell hole of a city! The mentally ill Libs will still tell you how beautiful it is all while they get mugged and step in s***.”
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The shooting occurred after Pearsall had been signing autographs at the Cow Palace. According to reports from KGO-TV’s Dion Lim, Pearsall later went to Union Square, a popular shopping district in downtown San Francisco, where he visited a high-end designer store just moments before the attack. The footage of Pearsall being led to an ambulance, shared by KTVU’s Zak Sos, shows the young athlete moving slowly, holding his chest but not appearing overly distressed.
The shocking nature of the attack prompted widespread concern and support from the sports community. NBA superstar LeBron James was among those who voiced their support for Pearsall, responding to the news on social media. “Facts bro!! Home, work, and back home! Prayers to Ricky Pearsall,” James wrote, adding three prayer hands emojis in solidarity.
Pearsall’s 49ers teammates also rallied around him. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk expressed his relief at Pearsall’s improving condition, posting “Great News” alongside multiple praying emojis. Fellow wideout Deebo Samuel echoed the sentiment, adding, “He’s good. Thank god!!!!”
Mulder’s harsh criticism of San Francisco highlights the broader debate about the city’s safety and governance, which has been a contentious topic in recent years. The incident involving Pearsall has only intensified the conversation, drawing attention to the challenges faced by one of America’s most iconic cities.
As Pearsall continues to recover, the focus will undoubtedly shift to how San Francisco addresses the issues that have led to such high-profile incidents. Meanwhile, the support from the sports community serves as a reminder of the close-knit nature of athletes who, regardless of their sport, come together in times of crisis.
