Former American football star Jordan Shipley is fighting for his life in a Texas hospital after a horrific accident on his ranch left him with severe burns.
Ranch machine fire leaves ex-receiver in critical condition
The terrifying incident occurred near Shipley's hometown of Burnet, Texas. According to a statement released by his family, the 40-year-old was operating a piece of machinery when it suddenly caught fire.
Although Shipley managed to free himself from the blazing machine, he sustained catastrophic burn injuries to his body in the process. He was able to reach a ranch worker, who immediately drove him to a local hospital for emergency treatment.
Given the severity of his condition, he was subsequently "care-flighted" to a specialist hospital in Austin. His family confirmed he remains in a critical but stable condition as medical teams work to treat his extensive injuries.
A celebrated career on the field
Jordan Shipley is best known for his dynamic career as a wide receiver. He first rose to prominence playing college football for the University of Texas Longhorns, where his exceptional performance in the 2009 season earned him Associated Press All-America honours.
His college career statistics are impressive:
- 248 career receptions
- 3,191 receiving yards
- 33 touchdowns
He was also a talented sprinter, representing Texas in track events including the 100m and 200m.
His professional career began when he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. Over three seasons in the league, which also included stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he tallied 79 receptions for 858 yards and four touchdowns. He officially retired from the NFL in 2014.
Family calls for prayers amid infection fears
Shipley's brother, Jaxon Shipley—who also had a brief NFL career—has spoken out about the primary risks his brother now faces. He highlighted the dangers of infection and pneumonia as major threats during the recovery process.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Jaxon appealed for public support, writing: "Please pray for full healing and no infections or other issues on his road to recovery. I don’t want to get into all the details, other than his life was spared today by the grace of God and the sheer will to live."
He added, "I believe prayer is effective so I’m asking anyone and everyone to lift Jordan up in prayer."
Jordan Shipley, now 40, is a married father of two young sons. The football community and his many fans are now rallying behind the family, hoping for his full recovery from this life-altering accident.
