> At a Glance
> – Former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Jordan Shipley, 40, was critically burned Tuesday
> – A machine he was operating at his Texas ranch near Burnet caught fire
> – He freed himself, was driven to a local hospital, then airlifted to Austin
> – Why it matters: Family warns infections and pneumonia are now the biggest threats as multiple surgeries begin
Former Texas Longhorns star and NFL receiver Jordan Shipley is fighting for his life after a machine he was using at his Texas ranch erupted in flames Tuesday afternoon.
His family says the 40-year-old sustained “severe burns” but managed to escape and reach a ranch hand who rushed him to a local hospital before a helicopter flew him to Austin, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
The Incident
The accident happened shortly after noon on January 6 while Shipley worked at Shipley Ranches, the brokerage he owns near his hometown of Burnet.
University of Texas Senior Associate Athletics Director John Bianco released a family statement explaining that the machine “caught fire” and that Shipley “was able to free himself, but it was not before sustaining severe burns on his body.”
Family timeline shared with News Of Los Angeles:
- 12 p.m. machine ignites
- Shipley extricates himself
- Ranch employee drives him to local ER
- Care-flight helicopter transports him to Austin burn center
Family Pleads for Prayers
Jaxon Shipley, Jordan’s brother and former Longhorns receiver, posted an emotional appeal on Instagram:
> Jaxon Shipley wrote:
> “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 ended the post urging “anyone and everyone to lift Jordan up in prayer.”
Their father, Bob Shipley, provided a medical update on Facebook, stating Jordan is already undergoing “several surgeries” and cautioning that “the biggest threats at this point seem to be infections and pneumonia.”
From Record-Setting Longhorn to NFL Veteran
Shipley’s football résumé:
- 2006-2009: Texas Longhorns receiver & return specialist
- 2009: School record 116 receptions, second in program history with 1,489 receiving yards
- 2010: Third-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals
- 2012: Split season between Bengals, Buccaneers, and Jaguars
- 2014: Retired from professional football
Off the field, Shipley married Sunny Leigh in 2011; the couple celebrated 13 years of marriage in May and are raising two young sons. Sunny posted family Christmas photos just three days before the accident.
Key Takeaways
- Burn injuries require extensive surgical intervention; infection risk peaks in the first two weeks
- Shipley’s quick escape and ranch hand’s swift action likely saved his life
- Family faith and community prayer requests dominate social media updates
- Former teammates and Longhorns fans have flooded online channels with support
- Medical team prioritizing airway protection and burn wound management
As surgeries continue, the Shipley family remains focused on “full healing” and asks for continued prayers for the beloved former NFL standout.
Daniel J. Whitman for News Of Los Angeles
