Former University of Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley is in critical condition at an Austin hospital after suffering severe burns in a fire at his ranch.
"Jordan was involved in an accident this afternoon near his hometown of Burnet," a statement from his family said Tuesday night. "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. He was able to get 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."
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
According to On Texas Football's Bobby Burton, Shipley sustained third-degree burns on "over 20% of his body."
Shipley, 40, was an All-American as a senior in 2009 when he had 116 catches for 1,485 yards and 13 touchdowns as the Longhorns went to the national title game against Alabama. Shipley is one of the most successful wide receivers in Texas history, and that season put him atop the Longhorn record books for the most career and single-season receptions and the most receiving yards in a single season.
Only Roy Williams (3,866) has more career receiving yards and touchdowns (36) than Shipley's 3,191 yards and 33 TDs, and Shipley also set the single-game records for receptions (15 in 2008) and receiving yards (273 in 2009). Shipley's 13 touchdowns in 2009 are also the most of any Texas receiver in one season.
After four seasons at Texas, Shipley was drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He was taken with the 84th pick in the draft and went one pick ahead of his Texas teammate and Heisman runner-up Colt McCoy. The former Texas QB finished second to Sam Bradford in the Heisman voting in 2008 before finishing third in 2009.
Shipley played just three seasons in the NFL and appeared in 24 games. He had 78 career catches for 858 yards and four touchdowns. The majority of those stats came in his rookie season, as he had 52 catches for 600 yards and three scores in 2010.
