The wife of former Texas Longhorns legend and NFL wide receiver Jordan Shipley has issued a heartfelt update on his condition, following a devastating accident at his ranch that left him with severe burns.
A Miraculous Escape from the Flames
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the 40-year-old former athlete was operating a machine on his property when it suddenly caught fire. Shipley managed to escape the blaze, but not before sustaining significant burns to his body. The incident occurred in a remote area of his ranch.
In a lengthy social media post on Wednesday, his wife Sunny Leigh revealed the harrowing details of his escape. "We don’t know exactly what happened yet," she wrote, "but, from what we’ve gathered so far, it’s an absolute miracle that he is still here with us." She credited his survival to his "God given stubborn will, athletic ability and pain tolerance," noting he was in a remote location and managed to reach the only other person present, who was over ten miles away.
Current Condition and Long Road Ahead
Sunny Leigh, with whom Shipley shares two young sons named Swayde and Shield, provided a cautiously optimistic report. She stated that Jordan "did as well as he could overnight" and that medical staff are keeping him sedated and comfortable as he is not yet able to communicate.
"He’s in a lot of pain, as expected," she explained. Doctors were assessing his burns and lungs again with the aim of removing his breathing tube. The primary medical concerns at this stage are the condition of his hands, preventing infection, and monitoring his kidney function.
"We will take this day to day," Sunny Leigh added, promising to update supporters when possible. "I know he’s got a long hard recovery ahead, but if anyone can do it.. he can. Please keep praying." She expressed profound gratitude for the support from their community in Burnet, Texas.
A Look Back at Shipley's Football Career
Jordan Shipley's professional football journey spanned three seasons in the NFL after a standout college career. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as the 84th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, signing a four-year contract worth $2.45 million, including a $757,000 signing bonus.
He made an immediate impact, famously returning a punt 63 yards in his first NFL preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. However, his professional trajectory was abruptly halted in the following season when he suffered a devastating knee injury, tearing both his ACL and MCL.
After struggling to recover, he was waived by the Bengals. He had brief stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, making six appearances for the latter in 2012 before his release in September 2013.
Despite a shortened NFL tenure, Shipley remains a revered figure in college football for his time with the Texas Longhorns. Playing under coach Mack Brown from 2004 to 2009, he appeared in 53 games and was named an All-American in 2009, the same season Texas won the Big 12 and reached the national championship.
He set a Longhorns record with 15 receptions in a single game against Oklahoma State in October 2008 and recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2008 and 2009.
