Kris Boyd, a cornerback and special teams standout for the NFL’s New York Jets, was critically injured in a shooting in midtown Manhattan early Sunday, according to New York Mayor Eric Adams’ office.
The shooting happened just after 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, police said. The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was in critical, but stable condition. There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. Adams’ office said that the man shot was Boyd.
Adams said in a message posted on social media that he is praying for Boyd and his loved ones.
“Although we’ve gotten shootings to historic lows in our city, we must continue to work to end gun violence,” Adams said. “Too many young lives have been tragically altered and cut short by this epidemic.”
The Jets released a statement saying the team is “aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time.” Boyd’s agent didn’t immediately respond to a text message inquiring about the incident.
The Jets (2-8), who play their home games in nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey, did not have a game Sunday. They played Thursday night in this 11th week of the NFL’s 2025 season, losing 27-14 to the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Boyd hasn’t played this season, his first with the Jets, after going on the season-ending injured reserve list on Aug. 18 with a shoulder injury that required surgery to repair.
He signed with the team as a free agent in March and was expected to be a key part of a revamped special teams unit under new coach Aaron Glenn and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo. However, Boyd got hurt during practice at training camp on Aug. 2 and was carted from the field.
Boyd was regarded as a special teams standout during his first six NFL seasons, including most of the past two with the Houston Texans.
He made headlines during Houston’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC divisional round playoff game in January when he celebrated a forced fumble on a kickoff by ripping off his helmet and nearly shoving his special teams coach to the ground.
Boyd played his first four pro seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, who selected the former University of Texas standout in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, then joined Houston’s practice squad later that season.
Teammates asked for prayers for Boyd in social media posts Sunday afternoon.
“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,” linebacker Jermaine Johnson wrote.
“Lord, place your mighty hand on him as he fights lord God. Guide every doctor, nurse, and surgeon who touches him lord,” defensive tackle Harrison Phillips wrote. “Give his family strength! Kris is a fighter and we’re all here for him.”