If you spent any time watching college football in the late 2000s, you knew two things to be true: Colt McCoy was going to throw the ball, and Jordan Shipley was probably going to catch it. But right now, the Longhorns legend is facing a fight that makes third-and-long look like a walk in the park. News broke late Tuesday that Shipley, 40, is currently in critical but stable condition after a scary accident on his ranch near Burnet, Texas.
Details On the Accident and Shipley’s Condition
According to a statement released by the Shipley family through the University of Texas, things went south quickly while he was working the land on his property. He was operating machinery when the equipment suddenly caught fire.
He managed to escape the burning machine, but not before sustaining severe burns. The report indicates he suffered burns to roughly 20 percent of his body. Despite the injuries, he had the presence of mind to get to a ranch worker, who drove him to a local hospital before he was eventually air-lifted to a facility in Austin.
A Look Back At Shipley and the Golden Era
It’s hard to overstate just how good Shipley was in burnt orange. He wasn’t just a wide receiver; he was a safety valve, a playmaker, and arguably the most reliable pair of hands in program history.
Shipley finished his career at Texas with 248 receptions for 3,191 yards. His 2009 senior season was absurd: 116 catches, nearly 1,500 yards, and 13 touchdowns, helping lead Texas to the BCS National Championship game. He and McCoy had that rare telepathy that only comes from being roommates who probably spent too much time talking football over pizza.
The NFL and Life After Football
After leaving Austin, the Cincinnati Bengals scooped him up in the third round of the 2010 draft. He had a solid rookie campaign, hauling in 52 catches and finding the end zone three times. While injuries cut his NFL tenure shorter than anyone wanted, he never lost that reputation as a competitor.
Right now, the stats don’t matter. What matters is the same resilience he showed on Saturdays.
