Ex-NFL Star Suffers ‘Severe Burns’ In Tragic Accident

Former Texas Longhorns star and NFL wide receiver Jordan Shipley is hospitalized in critical but stable condition after suffering severe burns in a terrifying accident on his ranch in Central Texas.

Shipley, 40, was injured Tuesday near his hometown of Burnet when a machine he was operating caught fire, according to a statement released by his family and reported by On3.

“Jordan was involved in an accident Tuesday afternoon near his hometown of Burnet,” the statement said.

“The machine he was operating on his ranch caught fire, and although he managed to get out, it was not before sustaining severe burns on his body in the process.”

“He was able to get to one of his workers on the ranch who drove him to a local hospital. He was then care-flighted to Austin, where he remains in critical but stable condition.”

Your prayers for Jordan Shipley are working, please keep them up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/tsuf0D5PRm

— Alex Dunlap (@AlexDunlapNFL) January 7, 2026

Shipley spent three seasons in the NFL after being selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 84th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $2.45 million deal that included a $757,000 signing bonus.

He made an immediate splash in Cincinnati, returning a punt 63 yards in his first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. But his professional career was derailed the following season when he tore both his ACL and MCL, injuries that proved difficult to overcome.

The Bengals eventually waived Shipley, and brief stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars followed. He appeared in six games for the Jaguars before being released in September 2013.

While his NFL run was short, Shipley remains a revered figure in college football lore.

He played at the University of Texas from 2004 to 2009 under coach Mack Brown and was one of the program’s most productive receivers. In October 2008, Shipley set a Longhorns record with 15 catches for 168 yards in a win over Oklahoma State.

Shipley played 53 games for Texas, earned All-American honors in 2009, and helped lead the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and a national championship appearance that season. He posted back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2008 and 2009.

The family did not provide additional details on the extent of Shipley’s injuries but said he remains under close medical care as he continues to fight for recovery.

Download the FREE Trending Politics App to get the latest news FIRST >>