Former Big 12 athlete Kris Boyd, who starred for the Texas Longhorns from 2015‑2018 before entering the NFL, is in critical condition after being shot in Midtown Manhattan early Sunday morning. The 29‑year‑old defensive back and special‑teams contributor with the New York Jets was struck in the abdomen around 2 a.m. near West 38th Street and 7th Avenue and was quickly transported to Bellevue Hospital.
Details surrounding the incident remain murky, but police say the shooting stemmed from a dispute outside a restaurant and that the assailant fled in a vehicle. No arrests have been made at this time, and investigators say the case is active. Boyd had signed with the Jets in March, and this season had been sidelined on injured reserve following shoulder surgery in August.
At Texas, Boyd earned first‑team All‑Big 12 honors in his senior season and made his mark as a dependable defender and special‑teams ace. That reputation carried into the NFL, where he carved out a role over six seasons with stints at the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans before landing in New York.
The Jets issued a brief statement acknowledging the incident and indicated they will not comment further. Teammates and friends have taken to social media asking for prayers and support as Boyd fights for recovery.
While the investigation progresses, the focus shifts to Boyd’s health and the ripple effects this event will have on his family, his former teammates at Texas, and the New York Jets organization. At a moment when headlines usually center on on‑field performance, this situation finds a program and a player in a more personal fight.
