A U.S. Air Force service member died after plummeting from the rafters during a demonstration at a college football game in Texas.
The incident occurred at the Alamodome ahead of UTSA’s game against the U.S. Naval Academy on Saturday. According to Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs, the service member—assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2—was injured at the stadium and later died at a local hospital.
The accident happened during a pregame ceremony for UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans event. Four officers were scheduled to rappel down to the field 15 minutes before kickoff. Witnesses reported one officer lost control while descending, sliding down the line and crashing onto the turf.
Medical personnel immediately attended to the officer, who was transported as a priority-one patient to the hospital. The service member’s condition proved critical, resulting in his death at the facility.
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy stated Sunday: “Our hearts are heavy following the tragic incident at the Alamodome prior to Saturday’s UT San Antonio football game against the U.S. Naval Academy. What was intended to be a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration has been marked by profound sadness.” He added that the university activated well-being services for faculty, staff, and students potentially affected by the incident.
The game proceeded after a 10-minute kickoff delay due to the accident. UTSA confirmed the decision to play was made before public confirmation of the service member’s condition.
Nellis Air Force Base has not released the service member’s identity. San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones expressed condolences: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of an Air Force service member following an unfortunate accident at Saturday’s UTSA-Navy football game. We will keep his family in our prayers.”
Photos from the scene show UTSA members surrounding the airman on the field after the fall, with medics tending to him amid a silent crowd. A witness described: “Once the band started playing, there was a guy that fell down and started coming down fast. Everybody was quiet; the band stopped performing—everybody was dead silent.” The incident is under investigation.
