New York Jets cornerback and special teams ace Kris Boyd is fighting for his life after being shot in a shocking incident in midtown Manhattan.
Early Morning Shooting Rocks Manhattan
The violent encounter occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning outside a business on West 38th Street near 7th Avenue. According to the New York Police Department, the shooting happened just after 2am local time.
Police confirmed a 29-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim, later identified by multiple news outlets as Kris Boyd, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition.
Authorities have made no arrests, and the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
Jets and Teammates React to Crisis
The New York Jets organisation acknowledged the situation through a brief statement. "We are aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time," a team spokesperson said.
Boyd's teammates took to social media to express their shock and request support. Linebacker Jermaine Johnson posted a heartfelt plea, writing, "Everybody please send prayers to my brother and teammate Kris Boyd and his family!!! Lord please hold your healing hand over Kris and guide him back to health and safety."
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips added his own message of support, saying, "Lord, place your mighty hand on him as he fights lord God. Guide every doctor, nurse, and surgeon who touches him lord. Give his family strength! Kris is a fighter and we're all here for him."
Boyd's Challenging Season with the Jets
This devastating incident comes during what has already been a difficult season for the athlete. Boyd hasn't played this season, his first with the Jets, after being placed on the season-ending injured reserve list on August 18.
He suffered a shoulder injury that required surgical repair during training camp practice on August 2, an injury severe enough that he had to be carted from the field.
Boyd had joined New York as a free agent in March and was expected to be a key contributor to the special teams unit under new coach Aaron Glenn and coordinator Chris Banjo.
Throughout his first six NFL seasons, Boyd built a reputation as a special teams standout, spending most of the last two years with the Houston Texans. He made headlines during the Texans' divisional playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in January with an overzealous celebration that involved ripping off his helmet.
The Minnesota Vikings originally drafted Boyd in the seventh round out of Texas in 2019. After four seasons with the Vikings, he briefly joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 before finishing the season with Houston's practice squad.
