New York Jets player Kris Boyd sustained critical injuries in a shooting incident in midtown Manhattan early Sunday morning, as reported by various news sources. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. outside a business on West 38th Street near 7th Avenue, according to the New York Police Department. A 29-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition, though he is now stable. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Though the police did not officially disclose the victim’s identity, multiple news outlets identified the injured man as Kris Boyd. The Jets spokesperson issued a brief statement acknowledging the situation and indicated no further comments would be provided. Attempts to reach Boyd’s agent for a response were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Boyd, who joined the Jets this season, is yet to participate in any games due to a season-ending shoulder injury that necessitated surgery. The cornerback, known for his special teams prowess, was expected to play a significant role in the team’s revamped special teams unit under the new coaching staff. Unfortunately, he suffered the shoulder injury during training camp in August and has been sidelined since.
Having spent most of his six-year NFL career with the Houston Texans, Boyd garnered attention during a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs for an exuberant celebration. He commenced his professional football journey with the Minnesota Vikings after being drafted in the seventh round from the University of Texas in 2019. Subsequently, he had stints with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Texans’ practice squad in the 2023 season.
Teammates and fellow players took to social media to request prayers for Boyd’s recovery and well-being following the distressing incident. Linebacker Jermaine Johnson and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips expressed their support and faith in Boyd’s resilience, urging for strength and healing for him and his family during this challenging time.