MIDTOWN, Manhattan (KLTV) – Gilmer Buckeyes Head Football Coach, Alan Metzel was at church on Sunday when he found out his former athlete and current New York Jets cornerback, Kris Boyd had been shot.
“You have a shock, you’re concerned about his well-being…is he ok, what happened,” says Metzel.
Metzel coached Boyd in football and track in high school.
“When you have one of your players that you watch grow up and have been to battle with, and games and helping them grow up, those kind of things, it’s like your own child,” says Metzel.
Police in New York say the 29-year-old was shot in the abdomen outside a restaurant in Manhattan. Investigators believe an argument escalated, leading to two shots being fired. The suspected shooter then drove away from the scene and Boyd was rushed to the hospital.
“I was able to make contact with a family member, and they were able to let me know he’s stable in ICU,” says Metzel.
The New York Police Department has released photos of a suspect wanted in connection to the shooting of New York Jets cornerback and former Gilmer Buckeye Kris Boyd.
The photos show a man wearing a black cap, black sweatshirt, black pants, multi-colored sneakers and carrying a black book bag.
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.
The NYPD has released photos of a suspect in the shooting of NY Jets player and former Gilmer Buckeye Kris Boyd(New York Police Department)
According to WABC, Boyd was shot in the abdomen and taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he is in critical, but stable condition.
Authorities said an argument escalated before two shots were fired. The suspected shooter then drove off, police said.
“We are aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time,” a Jets spokesperson said in a statement.
2019 NFL Draft Kris Boyd
Teammates asked for prayers for Boyd in social media posts on 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 said in a post.
“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 said in a post. “Give his family strength! Kris is a fighter and we’re all here for him.”
FILE – New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd takes part in an NFL football training camp, July 23, 2025, in Florham Park, N.J.(Adam Hunger | AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Coach Metzel says Boyd’s hometown will continue to stand with him during his recovery.
“This Gilmer community, we’re very tight-knit, and when one of our own is hurt, then we rally, and want to be there to help in any way we can, and that’s pretty much the way this community has responded,” says Metzel.
Coach Metzel says he remains in close contact with Boyd’s family and is praying for a quick recovery so he can continue to be a light for the next generation of young athletes.
“You’re talking about a guy who’s an NFL player, which, you know, that’s quite an accomplishment very few people ever get there,” says Metzel. “For a guy who started with very little in a lot of ways and has fought and scrapped and clawed his way to make it I’m so proud of him and I love the way he’s so passionate about his teammates and the people that he cares about…and because of that, he’s blazing a trail for a lot of young men.”
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 made headlines during the Texans’ divisional playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs 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.
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