Airman Dies After Rappelling Incident at UTSA Football Game
An Air Force service member died after falling during a rappelling demonstration before the UTSA football game against Navy. The incident occurred at the Alamodome stadium in San Antonio, Texas, during a pregame ceremony.
What happened
- An Air Force airman, assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, died Saturday after falling while rappelling from the rafters of the Alamodome ahead of The University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) game against Navy.
- The demonstration was part of UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans pregame ceremony.
- Four officers were scheduled to rappel onto the field 15 minutes before kickoff.
- The airman appeared to lose control during his descent, sliding down the line and crashing onto the turf.
- Medical personnel treated him onsite before transporting him by stretcher to a local hospital, where he later died.
- UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor described the incident as "heartbreaking" and "tragic," noting the immediate shift in energy within the stadium.
- The American Conference released a statement, via OutKick senior CFB reporter Trey Wallace, explaining their decision to play the game following the tragedy.
- UTSA President Taylor Eighmy expressed her "deepest and most heartfelt sympathies" to the service member’s family and colleagues.
- The incident involved specialists who embed with Army and Marine ground units to direct air and artillery strikes, regularly training in rapid rope insertions from heights of 100 feet or more.
- The game between the UTSA Roadrunners and Navy Midshipmen still took place on Saturday, won by UTSA 38-34.
- Following the game, the university activated wellbeing services to support faculty, staff and students.
Original reporting
- Fox News: Investigation launched after Air Force airman fatally falls before UTSA football game
2026-10-18T19:55:54+00:00 - CBS News: U.S. service member dies after rappelling incident at UT San Antonio football stadium
2026-10-18T13:49:00+00:00