He was flown by emergency helicopter to a hospital in San Antonio, where he is listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with O.B. and his family during this very difficult period," said Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim, senior chairman and co-founder of Pilgrim's Pride. "O.B. has always been a man of great strength and faith, and we are confident that the hospital medical team is providing the best possible care for him."

Out of respect for privacy for Mr. Goolsby and his family, no other medical information on his condition is being shared publicly at this time.

The Pilgrim's Pride board of directors met by telephone Sunday afternoon to be briefed on Mr. Goolsby's medical condition and will continue to monitor it in the days ahead. Additionally, Mr. Goolsby's executive team has met and taken steps to ensure that, in his absence, all business activities will continue without interruption.

Mr. Goolsby, 60, has served as president and CEO since September 2004. Prior to that, he was president and chief operating officer for two years. Mr. Goolsby joined Pilgrim's Pride in 1969.

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation is the largest chicken producer in the United States and Puerto Rico and the second-largest producer and seller of chicken in Mexico. Pilgrim's Pride employs approximately 55,000 people and operates 38 poultry processing and 12 prepared-foods facilities, with major operations in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Mexico and Puerto Rico as well as other facilities in Arizona, Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio and Utah.