New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd is fighting for recovery in a New York City hospital after being shot in the abdomen during an early morning incident in midtown Manhattan.
Coach's Confidence and Player's Spirit
Jets coach Aaron Glenn has spoken with the injured player and provided a positive, albeit cautious, update. Glenn confirmed that Boyd, despite his serious injuries, was "upbeat" during their recent conversation. This has given the coach significant confidence in his player's resilience.
"That's what eases my mind, is that he's in good spirits," Glenn stated on Wednesday. "His wife and his kid, they're in good spirits and he will walk away from this just fine." The coach admitted that Boyd has been on his mind "a ton" since the shooting, especially considering the player and his wife had recently welcomed a new baby.
Details of the Manhattan Shooting
The violent event occurred just after 2am on Sunday in a location roughly halfway between the iconic Madison Square Garden and Times Square. Boyd, 29, was shot in the abdomen and was swiftly transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
The New York Police Department is actively investigating the case. Authorities have released surveillance images of a man sought in connection with the shooting. A motive remains unclear, and it is not yet known if Boyd was specifically targeted. The shooter fled the scene, and no other injuries were reported.
Boyd's Season and Career Trajectory
This incident is another difficult turn in what has been a challenging first season with the Jets for Kris Boyd. He signed a one-year contract with New York worth $1.6m in March and was anticipated to be a key contributor on special teams.
Unfortunately, his on-field plans were derailed by a shoulder injury during a training camp practice on 2 August. The injury required surgery, leading to his placement on the season-ending injured reserve list on 18 August.
Despite not playing, Boyd has remained an engaged member of the team. "He's been a part of what we're doing," Glenn noted. "He comes to the games all the time. He's fully engaged."
A native of Texas, Boyd played his first four NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after being selected in the seventh round of the 2019 draft out of the University of Texas. He had subsequent stints with the Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans' practice squad before joining the Jets.
