New York Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn Confident Kris Boyd Will Recover Fully After NYC Shooting
New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn mentioned that he has been in contact with defensive back Kris Boyd and believes the player will recover well after suffering a gunshot wound in central New York in the early hours of Sunday.
Glenn noted that Boyd, who is hospitalized, was “positive” during their recent conversation.
“That’s what eases my mind, is that he’s in good spirits,” Glenn stated on Wednesday. “His wife and his kid, they’re in good spirits and he will walk away from this just fine.”
It remained unclear when Boyd would leave the hospital, where his condition is described as critical but stable.
“Still unsure,” the coach said. “Yet I must mention, just talking to him, his attitude was encouraging. Once more, that’s what gives me comfort, that he feels like that and his words reflect that optimism.”
NYPD issued surveillance images Monday of an individual wanted in the incident involving Boyd. The reason behind the incident remains under investigation and police mentioned it remains uncertain if Boyd was the intended victim. There were no additional victims as confirmed by officials.
The attack took place just after 2am on Sunday near MSG and Times Square. Boyd, 29, was admitted to Bellevue Hospital after being shot in the abdomen, according to authorities. The assailant escaped.
Glenn said Boyd has been in his thoughts “constantly” since the news broke. The coach said that Boyd and his wife recently welcomed a child.
“My initial concern, he has a new baby,” Glenn said. “I thought of his spouse, I’m thinking about his kid and I want to make sure that he’s OK. And that’s the only thing that really went through my mind.
“There’s a process to this, which I won’t get into, but I’m happy at the fact that he will recover excellently.”
Boyd did not participate during the current season, his first with the Jets, after his season was cut short due to injury on mid-August with an injury to his shoulder that needed an operation.
Boyd came to New York as an unrestricted free agent in March and was expected to be an important component of a revamped special teams unit under Glenn and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury during a training camp practice on 2 August and had to be helped off.
Boyd continued to be present all season long while recovering from the shoulder injury.
“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “In fact, he is a regular at our matches. He’s fully engaged. As one of the league’s best on special teams, he’s done a really good job of helping the other guys we have.”
Boyd, from Texas, began his career with Minnesota after his selection in the later rounds by Minnesota out of the University of Texas in the 2019 draft. He joined Arizona in last year and moved to Houston’s squad later that season. Boyd inked a single-season agreement for $1.6 million with the Jets in March.