Kris Boyd’s football journey began long before the NFL, long before the New York Jets or the Texas Longhorns. He first emerged as a standout at Gilmer High School, one of the most storied high school football programs in Texas. Under coach Jeff Traylor, Boyd starred on both sides of the ball and helped lead Gilmer to a 16–0 record and a 4A Division II state championship as a senior. His speed, versatility, and toughness made him one of the top recruits in the state and earned him a spot in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Boyd carried that momentum to the University of Texas, where he became a multi-year starter and earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2018. His performance propelled him into the NFL, first with the Minnesota Vikings, then the Cardinals, Texans, and most recently the New York Jets. Even as a professional, Gilmer remained a central part of his story, a place where he built the foundation that carried him to the game’s highest level.
Early Sunday morning, that story was shaken. Around 2 a.m. in Midtown Manhattan, Boyd was shot in the abdomen after an argument between two groups outside a restaurant escalated into violence. According to NYPD reports, the shooting occurred on West 38th Street near Seventh Avenue. Boyd was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition but later stabilized, according to multiple outlets.
Police say Boyd was leaving the restaurant Sei Less with a small group when another group confronted them. A dispute followed, and someone from the opposing group fired two shots, one striking Boyd. Investigators are still determining whether the conflict involved Boyd’s party or another group nearby. No motive has been established, and no arrests have been made.
Authorities are searching for two vehicles that fled the scene, a BMW and Mercedes, but have released no suspect descriptions. The New York Jets acknowledged the situation in a brief statement, saying only that the team was aware of the incident and would not comment further.
As of the latest updates, Boyd remains hospitalized, and the investigation is ongoing. The tight-knit football communities in Gilmer, Austin, and now New York are awaiting further news and hoping for a full recovery for the former Texas high school football star.
