Former Longhorns Star Jordan Shipley Leaves Hospital After Battling Severe Burns from Ranch Fire

BURNET, Texas — Former Texas Longhorns and NFL wide receiver Jordan Shipley has been discharged from the hospital following treatment for severe burns sustained in a ranch accident, his family announced as he begins the next phase of an arduous recovery.

Shipley, 40, was injured on January 6, 2026, when a machine he was operating at his Texas ranch suddenly caught fire, causing extensive burns to his body. He was initially taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to a specialized burn unit in Austin, where he spent weeks under critical care.

In an Instagram update, Shipley’s wife, Sunny Leigh Shipley, shared that although he has left the hospital, he continues to endure significant pain and will remain near the medical center for ongoing treatment and monitoring. She described their path ahead as “long and hard” but expressed deep gratitude for the support they have received from friends, family and even strangers.

Doctors treating Shipley called his release “nothing short of a miracle,” noting that it is rare for someone with burns of this severity to depart a hospital so soon after such extensive injuries. Despite this progress, Shipley will require continued wound care and rehabilitation in the weeks and months ahead.

Shipley is best known for his standout career at the University of Texas, where he set school records for receptions and became one of the program’s most celebrated receivers. He went on to play in the NFL after being selected in the third round of the 2010 draft, spending time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

As Shipley transitions out of hospital care, his family’s update underscores both the seriousness of his injuries and the resilience he has shown during his recovery