“Severe Burns” – College Football Legend Hospitalized After Horrific Accident

Former NFL wide receiver and Texas Longhorns star Jordan Shipley is in critical but stable condition after an accident on his ranch in Texas left him with severe burns.

“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,” a statement from his family read.

“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,” it continued.

Statement from the family of Jordan Shipley:

The family hopes that everyone will keep Jordan in their prayers pic.twitter.com/ybZmqDotc5

— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) January 7, 2026

ESPN shared further:

Shipley, 40, was a Longhorns great, starring for the program as both a receiver and a kick returner from 2006 to 2009. A two-time All-American, he holds a host of single-season receiving records at Texas, including yards (1,489 in 2009) and receptions (116 in ’09). He’s also the program’s career leader for receptions with 248 and ranks second in career receiving yards with 3,191, trailing only Roy Williams.

As a special teams player, Shipley returned 30 punts for 375 yards (12.5-yard average) and three touchdowns, and returned 19 kickoffs for 468 yards (24.6-yard average) and one score.

The football world reacted to the shocking news, giving thoughts and prayers for Shipley and his family.

Prayers up for Texas Football Legend Jordan Shipley who was involved in an accident on his ranch that nearly took his life after sustaining severe burns all over his body. He is in the hospital and remains in critical but stable condition. pic.twitter.com/uoyrEFTnoh

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 7, 2026

Thoughts and prayers for Jordan Shipley and his family during this time. pic.twitter.com/ueI3nZxOPB

— Barstool Longhorn (@UTBarstool) January 7, 2026

CBS News noted:

Shipley was drafted in the third round in 2010 by Cincinnati and had 79 receptions for 858 yards and four touchdowns over three seasons with the Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

His best season in the NFL came in his rookie year when he caught 52 passes for 600 yards and three touchdowns for the Bengals, according to CBS Sports.

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