Former Texas Football Star Shares Recovery Photos After Severe Burns

Jordan Shipley provides update on his progress after ranch accident left him hospitalized in critical condition.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Former University of Texas football wide receiver Jordan Shipley has shared new photos and an update on his recovery after suffering severe burns in a machinery accident on his ranch near Burnet, Texas. Shipley was hospitalized in critical condition for over a week in January but has since been discharged and is continuing to heal, crediting the medical team at Dell Seton for their care.

Why it matters

Shipley's accident and recovery journey highlights the risks and challenges faced by those working on rural ranches and farms, where machinery accidents can lead to life-threatening injuries. His story also showcases the importance of access to quality medical care, especially for those living outside of major urban areas.

The details

In a February 6th Instagram post, Shipley shared photos of his progress, showing his post-surgery wounds healing. His wife, Sunny Helms Shipley, had previously stated that doctors were concerned Shipley would require multiple skin grafts, but the burns ended up being less severe than expected. Shipley said his pain has eased and he has been able to get better rest as he continues to recover.

  • On January 17th, Shipley's wife shared that he had been discharged from the hospital less than two weeks after the accident.
  • Shipley shared the recovery photos on his Instagram on February 6th, 2026.

The players

Jordan Shipley

A former wide receiver for the University of Texas football team who suffered severe burns in a ranch machinery accident.

Sunny Helms Shipley

Jordan Shipley's wife, who provided updates on his recovery on social media.

Dell Seton

The medical team that cared for Jordan Shipley during his hospitalization.

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What they’re saying

“Numerous doctors, nurses and specialists kept telling us, as we were being discharged, that he is nothing short of a miracle and they've never seen someone come in to their care in his condition and leave this soon.”

— Sunny Helms Shipley, Jordan Shipley's wife (Instagram)

“It's been one month since the accident, and everything is closed up and healing well. We don't have to go back to the doctor, and we've been getting back into the swing of things a little bit this week. I want to say thank you to the team at Dell Seton. They were incredible.”

— Jordan Shipley (Instagram)

The takeaway

Shipley's recovery journey underscores the importance of access to quality medical care, especially for those living in rural areas where serious accidents can occur. His story also highlights the resilience and determination required to overcome life-threatening injuries sustained in machinery accidents on farms and ranches.