Former NFL wide receiver and Texas Longhorns legend Jordan Shipley is recovering in the hospital after suffering severe burns in a frightening accident on his ranch in Central Texas earlier this week.
According to a statement released by the University of Texas athletic department on behalf of Shipley’s family, and confirmed via ESPN, the 40-year-old was injured on Tuesday, January 6, while operating machinery on his property near his hometown of Burnet. The equipment reportedly caught fire, leaving Shipley with serious burns across his body.
One of the workers on the ranch immediately drove Shipley to a nearby hospital, where medical staff determined his injuries required specialized care. He was then transported by helicopter to Austin and remained hospitalized. His condition was described as serious but stable, with the family thanking first responders and medical teams for their quick action.
Shipley is best known for his standout career at the University of Texas, where he became one of the most productive wide receivers in school history. Playing from 2006 to 2009, Shipley emerged as a reliable target and a dynamic threat in the return game. He earned All-American honors twice and set multiple single-season receiving records for the Longhorns, including 1,489 receiving yards and 116 catches during the 2009 season.
By the time he left Austin, Shipley had cemented his place in the program’s record books. He finished his college career as Texas’s all-time leader in receptions with 248 and ranked second in career receiving yards with 3,191, trailing only Roy Williams. On special teams, he added several highlight-reel moments, returning both punts and kickoffs for touchdowns.
Shipley’s college success led to his selection in the NFL Draft, where he was selected in the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, catching 52 passes for 600 yards and three touchdowns. Over the next few seasons, he also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars before retiring from professional football in 2014.