At a Glance
- Former NFL wide receiver Jordan Shipley, 40, discharged weeks after suffering severe burns in a ranch machine fire
- Wife Sunny calls his rapid recovery “nothing short of a miracle” as medical staff say they’ve never seen someone leave so soon in his condition
- Couple staying near Austin hospital for ongoing dressing changes and monitoring
- Why it matters: Story highlights remarkable medical turnaround and community support for the ex-Cincinnati Bengals player
Former NFL receiver Jordan Shipley has been released from the hospital after sustaining severe burns in a ranch accident earlier this month, his wife Sunny Leigh Shipley announced Monday, Jan. 19. The 40-year-old ex-Cincinnati Bengals player spent weeks in treatment following the incident near his hometown of Burnet, Texas.
The Accident
On Tuesday, Jan. 6, Shipley was operating a machine on his ranch when it caught fire. According to a family statement released by University of Texas Senior Associate Athletics Director John Bianco, he managed to free himself from the burning equipment but suffered severe burns across his body.
The sequence of events:
- Machine broke out into flames while Shipley was operating it
- He escaped but sustained significant burn injuries
- Reached one of his ranch workers who drove him to a local hospital
- Was airlifted to Austin for specialized burn care
“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,” the initial statement read.
Miraculous Recovery
Sunny’s Instagram update revealed the extraordinary nature of her husband’s recovery. Medical staff at Dell Seton Medical Center repeatedly expressed amazement at his progress during discharge.
“Numerous doctors, nurses and specialists kept telling us, as we were discharged, that he is nothing short of a miracle and they’ve never seen someone come in to their care in his condition and leave this soon…much less be out of the hospital bed,” Sunny wrote.
Despite the positive milestone, Shipley faces ongoing challenges. His wife confirmed he remains “still in a lot of pain” and that they have “a hard and long journey ahead.” The couple has chosen to stay near the hospital rather than return home to ensure continued medical oversight.
Gratitude for Medical Team
Sunny’s post extensively thanked the Dell Seton burn unit staff who cared for her husband during his hospitalization. She emphasized the emotional toll on healthcare workers who treat severe burn cases daily.
“The Dell Seton burn team, nurses and everyone we came in contact with there are special people that impacted us greatly,” Sunny wrote. “Please say a prayer for them and thank God for them, as they are dealing with heartbreaking cases all day everyday.”
Shipley’s Football Legacy
Jordan Shipley played six seasons at the University of Texas, where he’s widely considered one of the best wide receivers in school history. The Texas standout was drafted in the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010 and later played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars during his professional career.
After retiring from football, Shipley returned to Texas where he owns and operates Shipley Ranches. His brother Jaxon Shipley, also a former Longhorns receiver, works as a real estate agent at the family ranch operation according to Jordan’s Instagram page.
Family Life and Support
The Shipleys, who married in Nashville in 2011 and celebrated their 13th anniversary in May 2024, have two young sons together. Sunny’s social media updates throughout the crisis have highlighted both the family’s faith and the overwhelming community support they’ve received.
“There is no amount of words that will be sufficient to express the gratitude I feel of our friends, family, community and complete strangers,” Sunny wrote, promising to share more details when she has “more words later.”
The family has requested continued prayers not only for Jordan’s recovery but also for the medical professionals who treat burn patients. Sunny concluded her update with a message of resilience: “You can guarantee he and I will carry it with joy and praise.”
Key Takeaways
- Jordan Shipley suffered severe burns in a ranch machine fire on January 6
- Medical staff called his rapid recovery and discharge “nothing short of a miracle”
- Former NFL receiver remains under close medical supervision near Austin hospital
- Family expresses deep gratitude for community support and medical team care
