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Jordan Shipley
Jordan Shipley
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Jordan Shipley (born December 23, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Shipley played college football for the Texas Longhorns, receiving consensus All-American recognition in 2009. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft, and also played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Key Information

Early life

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Shipley was born in Temple, Texas.[1][2] He played high school football at Rotan High School in Rotan, Texas as a freshman in 2000, and then from 2001 to 2003 at Burnet High School in Burnet, Texas, where his father, Bob Shipley, was the head coach. Shipley holds almost every high school career receiving record for the state of Texas, including career receptions (264), receiving yards (5,424), and receiving touchdowns (73).[3] In 2000, in his first varsity game as a freshman at Rotan High, Shipley totaled 454 all-purpose yards and returned three punts for touchdowns.[4]

With former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Stephen McGee, Shipley helped lead the Burnet Bulldogs to back-to-back Class 3A State championship games of which they lost in 2002 and 2003.[5] Following his record-setting high school career, Shipley played in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl with fellow Texas Longhorn Frank Okam and former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

College career

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Shipley in a 2006 game at Rice
Shipley catching a pass in the 2008 A&M game

Shipley attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he played for coach Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns football team from 2004 to 2009.

2008 season

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Shipley had a stand-out game in the 2008 Texas vs. Oklahoma football game against the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. He returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown; it was the longest kickoff return in the 103-year history of the Red River Shootout. He also caught a touchdown pass. The Longhorns won 45–35.[6]

On October 25, 2008, Shipley set a Texas Longhorn record for receptions, catching 15 passes for 168 yards as #1 Texas defeated #6 Oklahoma State 28–24.[7]

Shipley was a senior in 2008, but filed paperwork with the NCAA to request an extra year of eligibility to make up for games missed due to injuries. On December 22, 2008, the NCAA granted Shipley's hardship request for a sixth season of eligibility.[8]

Shipley made the All-Big 12 second-team after the 2008 regular season.[9]

Following the 2008 season, Shipley underwent shoulder surgery for what he stated was "an injury I aggravated a couple of times during the year, but was able to play through. I worked hard to rehab it and kept playing. But now that I have time, I got it cleaned up and can get back to full strength for next season."[10]

2009 season

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Shipley proved to be a vital member of the 2009 Texas Longhorn football team, including scoring a touchdown off of a Texas Tech punt in the Longhorns' 34–24 victory. On November 7, 2009, Shipley caught 11 passes for a school record 273 yards during a home game against the UCF. Shipley's play during the season helped lead Texas to the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game against Nebraska. He caught seven passes for 71 yards in the 13–12 win and helped Texas earn a spot in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. Shipley caught two touchdown passes during the game, but Texas lost to top-ranked Alabama, 37–21.

College statistics

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Season Games Receiving Rushing Punt returns Kick returns
GP GS Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD
Texas Longhorns
2004 Freshman Redshirt
2005 Medical Redshirt
2006 13 1 16 229 14.3 4 7 110 15.7 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0
2007 13 7 27 417 15.4 5 4 20 5.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0
2008 13 13 89 1,060 11.9 11 4 32 8.0 0 6 64 10.7 1 15 394 26.3 1
2009 14 14 116 1,485 12.8 13 0 0 0.0 0 24 311 13.0 2 4 74 18.5 0
Total 53 35 248 3,191 12.9 33 16 162 10.1 0 30 375 12.5 3 19 468 24.6 1

Track and field

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In addition to college football, Shipley ran track at the University of Texas, where he posted personal bests of 10.85 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.76 seconds in the 200 meters.

Personal bests
Event Time (seconds) Venue Date
100 meters 10.85 Austin, Texas April 3, 2004
200 meters 21.76 Austin, Texas May 14, 2004

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+14 in
(1.81 m)
193 lb
(88 kg)
30+12 in
(0.77 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
4.52 s 1.60 s 2.65 s 4.22 s 6.92 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)
10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)
16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Texas Pro Day[11][12]

Cincinnati Bengals

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Shipley was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft (84th overall).[13] On July 27, 2010, he signed a four-year contract for $2.54 million with a signing bonus of nearly $757,000. The contract included standard base salaries of $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000, as well as a fourth-year escalator clause that could significantly boost the maximum value of the contract.[14]

In Shipley's first NFL preseason game, he returned a punt 63 yards late in the fourth quarter to set up the Bengals' only score against the Dallas Cowboys.[15]

In Week 4 of the regular season, Shipley was hit in the head by Cleveland Browns safety T. J. Ward, causing a concussion that kept him sidelined in week 5.[16] Ward was fined $15,000 for the helmet-to-helmet contact.[17] On October 21 against the Atlanta Falcons, Shipley recorded six receptions for 131 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown catch. He finished the season with 52 receptions for 600 yards and three touchdowns.[18][19]

During the next season, 2011, in a game against the Denver Broncos in week 2, Shipley tore two ligaments in his knee – anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) – causing him to miss the remainder of the 2011 season.[20]

After struggling to fully recover from the knee injury during the 2012 preseason, the Bengals waived Shipley on August 17, 2012.[21] Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden explained, "Right now, we have a lot of good players at that position, and something had to be done."[22] Regarding the move, Shipley later commented, "I am honestly not sure what the [Bengals'] thought process was."[23]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]

Shipley was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 20, 2012.[23] He was released less than two weeks later during final roster cuts on August 31, but was re-signed on September 18 following an injury to starting slot receiver Preston Parker.[24][25] The Buccaneers released Shipley again on September 25, two days after a game against the Dallas Cowboys in which he fumbled a punt return.[26]

Jacksonville Jaguars

[edit]

On November 20, 2012, Shipley signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[27] He played in six games, catching 23 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.[28]

The Jaguars officially re-signed him on March 21, 2013.[28] He was released on September 1, 2013.[29]

Retirement

[edit]

On February 18, 2014, Shipley retired from football.[30]

Television career

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In 2018, Shipley joined the Texas GameDay crew on the Longhorn Network following Emmanuel Acho's departure for ESPN2.[31] He had previous on-air television experience co-hosting The Bucks of Tecomate on the Outdoor Channel.[32]

Personal life

[edit]

Shipley was a college roommate of former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.[33] His younger brother, Jaxon, was also a wide receiver at Texas, where he played alongside Colt's younger brother, Case McCoy.[34] In 2016, Jaxon played with the Arizona Cardinals. His cousin, Braden, is a baseball player for the Kansas City Royals.[35]

On May 21, 2011, Shipley married Nashville songwriter Sunny Helms.[36] The two first met in 1999 in Rotan, Texas, where Shipley was an eighth-grade quarterback and Helms was a freshman on the cheerleading squad. Shipley's father coached at Rotan for two years before moving to Burnet in 2001.[37]

In January 2026, Shipley was severely burned during an accident on his ranch. He sustained third degree burns on over 20 percent of his body.[38]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jordan Shipley (born December 23, 1985) is an American former professional football who played in the () from 2010 to 2012. A standout at the University of Texas, he established himself as one of the program's most prolific pass-catchers before being selected by the in the third round (84th overall) of the . After a brief professional career hampered by injuries, Shipley transitioned into brokerage and outdoor television hosting. At Burnet High School in , Shipley excelled as a , concluding his prep career as the state's all-class leader with 264 receptions for 5,424 yards and 73 touchdowns, achievements that earned him induction into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2015. He then joined the in 2004, redshirting his freshman year before contributing to the 2005 team as a reserve. Over his collegiate tenure from 2006 to 2009, Shipley amassed 248 receptions for 3,191 yards and 33 touchdowns, setting school records for career receptions while ranking second in receiving yards and scores at the time of his graduation; he also totaled 4,196 all-purpose yards, eighth-most in program history. His senior season in 2009 was particularly dominant, leading the with 116 receptions, 1,485 yards, and 13 touchdowns, earning consensus honors, a Biletnikoff Award finalist nod, and first-team All-Big 12 recognition; as a junior, he garnered second-team All-Big 12 acclaim after a 89-catch, 1,060-yard, 11-touchdown campaign. In the , Shipley appeared in 24 games across three teams, recording 79 receptions for 858 yards and four touchdowns, with his most productive year coming as a for the Bengals in 2010 (52 catches, 522 yards, three scores). He spent 2011 with before knee injuries limited him to two games that season, then briefly played for the and in 2012, appearing in seven contests without a reception. Shipley retired from football in early following persistent injury issues. Post-retirement, he has worked in television and media, including co-hosting hunting programs such as The Bucks of Tecomate and Tecomate Whitetail Nation on the , and serving as an analyst on Texas GameDay on the since 2018, leveraging his passion for the outdoors and football. By the mid-2010s, he founded Shipley Ranches, where he serves as broker and owner, specializing in farm and ranch real estate sales. In January 2026, Shipley sustained severe burns while operating a machine that caught fire on his ranch near Burnet, Texas. He escaped the fire, was transported to a local hospital by a worker, and airlifted to a medical center in Austin, where he underwent surgery and was reported to be in critical but stable condition.

Early years

Family background and upbringing

Jordan Shipley was born on December 23, 1985, in . He grew up in a family deeply immersed in Texas high school football, as the son of Bob Shipley, a longtime coach who led programs at schools including Rotan High School and Burnet High School, and Sharon Shipley. Shipley has a younger brother, , who followed a similar path into competitive football. From an early age, Shipley was surrounded by the world of football due to his father's coaching career, which began influencing him even before high school. Bob Shipley's role as at Rotan High School during Shipley's pre-teen years provided constant exposure to practices, games, and team dynamics, fostering a strong desire for his father's approval and instilling discipline in sports. This environment in rural nurtured Shipley's initial passion for football, where he spent much of his elementary and years observing and participating in informal athletic activities tied to his family's lifestyle. The family's eventual move aligned with Bob Shipley's appointment at Burnet High School in 2001, setting the stage for Shipley's formal entry into organized high school athletics.

High school career

Jordan Shipley played his freshman season of football at Rotan High School in 2000 before transferring. He then attended Burnet High School in , from 2001 to 2004, playing football under his father, Bob Shipley, who served as the team's head coach. In his senior season of , Shipley emerged as one of 's premier wide receivers, recording 95 receptions for 1,920 yards and 30 touchdowns while leading the Burnet Bulldogs to a 14-1 record and the Class 3A Division I state championship game. His exceptional performance earned him the Texas Sports Writers Association's Class 3A Offensive Player of the Year award, along with All-American honors. Over his four-year high school career, Shipley set all-time records for receptions (264), receiving yards (5,424), and receiving touchdowns (73), marks that underscored his dominance as a dual-threat receiver and . Shipley also demonstrated versatility in , qualifying for the UIL Class 3A state meet in the 200-meter dash as a senior, where he placed seventh with a time of 21.76 seconds, and competing in hurdles and events during his prep career. His standout high school achievements drew attention from major college programs, leading to a commitment to the University of Texas in the summer of 2003 and a signing during the early period of in 2004. His achievements earned him induction into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

College career

Football achievements

Jordan Shipley began receiving playing time in at the University of Texas in 2006 as a redshirt , appearing in all 13 games but in a limited role on offense, recording 16 receptions for 229 yards and 4 touchdowns while also contributing on special teams. In 2007, as a junior, he saw increased playing time in 13 games, hauling in 27 receptions for 417 yards and 5 touchdowns, helping the Longhorns to a 10-3 record and a victory. Shipley's breakout season came in , when he emerged as the team's primary , leading with 89 receptions for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns over 13 games, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors from the and coaches. His performance ranked him among the conference leaders in receptions and receiving yards, contributing significantly to the Longhorns' 12-1 season and Cotton Bowl win. As a senior in 2009, Shipley served as a team captain and delivered a career-best performance, leading the team with 116 receptions for 1,485 yards and 13 touchdowns in 14 games, which earned him consensus All-American status and unanimous first-team All-Big 12 recognition. He topped the Big 12 in receptions and ranked second in receiving yards and third in touchdown catches. Shipley played a pivotal role in ' undefeated regular season and berth in the , where he recorded 11 receptions for 131 yards in the 37-21 loss to . Over his four-year career from 2006 to 2009, Shipley amassed 248 receptions for 3,191 yards and 33 touchdowns, setting records for career receptions while ranking second in receiving yards and touchdowns at the time of his graduation. His versatility extended to punt returns, but his primary impact came as a reliable slot receiver who excelled in short-to-intermediate routes, drawing double coverage and opening opportunities for teammates.

Track and field involvement

During his time at the University of Texas from 2006 to 2009, Jordan Shipley participated in events for the Longhorns, complementing his football career with sprint and hurdle competitions that highlighted his speed and athletic versatility. Shipley balanced the demands of track during with football training, leveraging the discipline and agility developed in track to enhance his performance on the gridiron, such as in route running and return duties.

Academic and honors

Shipley majored in at the , earning his in December 2008. He subsequently pursued a in the same field during his sixth year of eligibility. Shipley earned academic recognition for his performance in the classroom, receiving first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors in both 2008 and 2009. These selections highlighted his ability to balance rigorous athletic demands with scholarly achievement, as he maintained the required GPA while contributing significantly to the Longhorns' football program. On the field, Shipley garnered prestigious football accolades during his senior year in 2009, including selection as a consensus first-team All-American by the , , and other major outlets. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation's outstanding receiver, though Notre Dame's ultimately claimed the honor. Additionally, Shipley received the Paul Warfield Trophy from the , recognizing the top in . In recognition of his leadership, he was voted a permanent team captain by his teammates for the 2009 season.

Professional football career

NFL draft and Cincinnati Bengals

Shipley was selected by the in the third round, 84th overall, of the , following a standout college career at the University of Texas where he set school records for receptions. As a rookie, he quickly established himself as a reliable slot receiver, recording 52 receptions for 600 receiving yards and three touchdowns over 15 games, with four starts; these figures tied him for third on the team in receptions behind and Chad Ochocinco. His performance highlighted his quickness and route-running ability in the slot, drawing comparisons to due to his precise hands and yards-after-catch potential. In the 2011 season, Shipley's production was severely limited by injuries. He appeared in only the first two games, catching four passes for 14 yards, before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a week 2 contest against the Denver Broncos, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year on injured reserve. The injury, caused by a low tackle from Broncos cornerback Cassius Vaughn, ended a promising sophomore campaign and impacted his role as a core special teams contributor, where he had shown promise in punt return duties during preseason. Entering the 2012 preseason, Shipley returned from knee surgery but struggled to regain form amid a crowded receiver depth chart. He appeared in limited preseason action before the Bengals waived him on August 17, 2012, effectively ending his tenure with the team after brief appearances that did not translate to regular-season play. Over his three years with , Shipley amassed 56 receptions for 614 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games, primarily serving as a slot option and occasional special teams player.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars

Following his departure from the Cincinnati Bengals, Jordan Shipley was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 20, 2012. He participated in the preseason but was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2012. Shipley was re-signed by the Buccaneers on September 18, 2012, after wide receiver Preston Parker suffered a season-ending injury, providing depth at the position and on special teams. He appeared in one regular-season game for Tampa Bay on September 23, 2012, against the Dallas Cowboys, where he contributed on special teams with three punt returns for 10 yards but lost a fumble on one return. Shipley recorded no receptions during his brief tenure with the Buccaneers and was waived again on September 25, 2012, to make room for wide receiver Roscoe Parrish. On November 20, 2012, Shipley signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, adding experience to their wide receiver group amid a challenging season. He played in six games for Jacksonville to close out the 2012 campaign, starting two, and posted 23 receptions for 244 yards and one touchdown, primarily serving as a slot receiver and occasional punt returner. Notable performances included a season-high five catches for 82 yards in a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots and seven receptions for 51 yards and his lone touchdown in the finale against the Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars re-signed Shipley to a two-year contract worth $1.315 million on March 21, 2013, positioning him as a potential slot option under new head coach Gus Bradley. However, he was released during final cuts on August 31, 2013, as the team reshaped its roster. Shipley did not appear in any regular-season games for the Jaguars in 2013 or 2014 and was not signed by another NFL team thereafter. Overall, Shipley's contributions across both teams were limited, totaling 23 receptions for 244 yards and one in seven games, reflecting a transitional phase in his professional career marked by frequent roster changes.

Injuries and retirement

Shipley's NFL career was derailed by recurring injuries, beginning with severe knee damage sustained in Week 2 of the 2011 season against the . While making a reception, he tore his (ACL), (MCL), and meniscus in his left knee, which required extensive surgery and rehabilitation. This injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2011 season after just two games played. Complications from the knee surgery persisted into 2012, preventing a full recovery and contributing to his release by the during . Although he signed with the and later the that year, ongoing knee issues limited him to seven games (one with and six with the Jaguars). By 2013, the cumulative effects of the injury kept him out of the entire regular season, as he was released by the Jaguars prior to Week 1. Over these three seasons, Shipley appeared in just nine of 48 possible games, a stark contrast to his promising rookie year. Compounding the knee problems, he suffered multiple concussions throughout his career, particularly in his role as a slot receiver exposed to frequent hits. On January 29, 2014, Shipley announced his retirement from professional football via , at the age of 28, primarily due to the toll of his injuries on his long-term health. In reflections shared later, he described the decision as difficult but necessary, acknowledging how the physical demands—especially the concussions—abbreviated what could have been a longer career, while expressing relief at moving toward new pursuits outside the sport.

Post-retirement pursuits

Television and media work

Following his retirement from professional football, Jordan Shipley transitioned into hosting with a focus on outdoor programming. He co-hosted Bucks of Tecomate and Tecomate Whitetail Nation on the since 2014, where episodes featured hunting expeditions across , emphasizing whitetail deer management and food plot strategies alongside hosts David Morris and Gary Schwarz. In sports broadcasting, Shipley joined the Longhorn Network's Texas GameDay crew in 2018 as an analyst, providing pre- and post-game insights for University of Texas football matchups, drawing on his experience as a former Longhorns . His NFL background enhanced his credibility in these roles, offering authentic perspectives on gameplay and team dynamics. Shipley also ventured into production and writing for scripted television. He co-created and wrote for the TBS sitcom Wrecked in 2016 alongside his brother Justin Shipley, a parody of survival shows like Lost that aired for two seasons and followed castaways on a deserted island. Later, he contributed as a writer on the Apple TV+ series The Afterparty in 2022, a murder mystery comedy structured around retrospective narratives from a high school reunion. Beyond these roles, Shipley made guest appearances on programs discussing his football career and outdoor pursuits, as well as on hunting-focused podcasts like the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation's series in 2018.

Business and public speaking

After retiring from professional football in 2014, Jordan Shipley founded Shipley Ranches, a full-service and real estate brokerage based in , where he serves as owner and broker specializing in land sales across the state. The firm focuses on properties such as ranches and rural estates, with Shipley leveraging his Texas roots to facilitate transactions for buyers and sellers in areas like Burnet and Lampasas counties. Shipley has also engaged in , particularly on faith-based topics, drawing from his personal experiences as a former . In 2012, he delivered a talk at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, discussing how his Christian influenced his life and career. More recently, in April 2025, he appeared as a guest speaker at Austin Christian University during a fellowship event, sharing insights on perseverance and spirituality. In addition to real estate, Shipley has advocated for hunting and outdoor conservation through partnerships with Tecomate Wildlife Systems, serving as co-host of the television series Bucks of Tecomate from 2014 onward, which promotes ethical hunting practices and habitat management. His involvement highlights sustainable outdoor pursuits, including whitetail deer management and elk hunting education. Shipley has collaborated on music and community initiatives connected to his wife, Sunny Leigh Shipley, including joint charity efforts such as donating proceeds from her 2012 single "The One" to support children's causes in . These ventures often blend his public profile from media hosting with .

Personal life

Shipley married Sunny Helms on May 21, 2011. They have one son, Swayde Jordan Shipley, born on March 31, 2020. His parents are Bob Shipley, a former coach, and Sharon Shipley, who died on January 10, 2022. Shipley has two siblings: sister Shelby Nunez and brother , also a former player. On January 6, 2026, Shipley sustained third-degree burns covering over 20% of his body in an accident on his ranch near Burnet, Texas. While operating a machine on the ranch, it caught fire, and Shipley escaped the blaze. He reached a worker who drove him to a local hospital, from which he was airlifted to a medical center in Austin for surgery. He was initially in critical but stable condition. Subsequent updates from his family indicate positive progress, though he faces a tough recovery ahead. Texas coach Mack Brown reported, “Talked to the family and Jordan is trending in a positive way. Still got a tough road ahead so keep the prayers coming. They will let us know when we can do more!”

References

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