Former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Jordan Shipley is in critical but stable condition after suffering severe burns in an accident Tuesday at his ranch near Burnet, TX, his family said.
According to a statement released through the University of Texas athletic department, Shipley, 40, was operating a machine on the property when it caught fire. He managed to free himself but sustained significant burns before reaching a ranch worker, who drove him to a local hospital; he was then airlifted to Austin, where he remained hospitalized Tuesday night.
Shipley starred at Texas from 2006 to 2009 as a receiver and returner, earning two All-America honors, including a consensus first-team selection in 2009. He set single-season school records in 2009 with 116 receptions and 1,489 receiving yards and remains the Longhorns’ all-time leader in career receptions with 248. He ranks second in career receiving yards with 3,191. On special teams, he returned 30 punts for 375 yards and three touchdowns and added 19 kickoff returns for 468 yards and one score.
A third-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2010 NFL Draft, Shipley caught 52 passes for 600 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie. He appeared over the next two seasons with the Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars before retiring in 2014.
Following his football career, Shipley has gone all in with his love of the outdoors. He serves as a spokesman for YETI, co-hosts the Outdoor Channel series “The Bucks of Tecomate.” According to his social media, Shipley is also the owner of Shipley Ranches, and is also an avid hunter throughout South Texas.
Shipley’s family thanked those offering support and said he remains in critical but stable condition following Tuesday’s accident, with further updates to come from the university and family whenever possible.
Statement from the family of Jordan Shipley: “Jordan was involved in an accident this afternoon near his hometown of Burnet. 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… pic.twitter.com/U5GmimDJcc
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) January 7, 2026