An Air Force service member has died after suffering critical injuries in a pregame rappelling accident at San Antonio’s Alamodome on Saturday night, Air Force officials confirmed.
The service member has not been publicly identified. He was among four military personnel descending by rope from the stadium’s ceiling before the Navy-University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) football game when he slipped and fell more than 150 feet, striking the field at high speed.
He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died, according to a statement from Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs. The accident remains under investigation.
News of the Airman’s death was first reported by Task and Purpose, a publication covering military affairs. The service member was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, which provides advanced skills training for special warfare Airmen.
Videos recorded from several angles showed the Airman hitting the turf as thousands of spectators watched in shock. Alamodome medical personnel immediately ran onto the field to provide assistance.
He was moved from the field and transported to a nearby hospital, according to initial reporting by the San Antonio Express-News.
Video captured by San Antonio resident James Larken Smith showed the officer hit the turf
A military member rappels from the stadium rafters in a previous demonstration
‘Everybody was quiet, the band stopped performing. Everybody was dead silent,’ witness Adrian Corey told KSAT.
Adrian’s mother, Siomara, recalled the confusion and distress that followed the fall.
‘There was no updates after that other than asking for prayers, but it did not look good,’ she told KSAT.
A similar rappelling demonstration took place without incident before a 2025 Army-UTSA game at the Alamodome.
Despite the accident, officials delayed kickoff by 10 minutes before proceeding with the game. UTSA defeated Navy 38-34. Afterward, many players joined in a group prayer for the injured Airman.
‘I know we said a prayer postgame, but they’ll continue being our thoughts and prayers, and really thinking about them,’ Roadrunners quarterback Owen McCown told reporters.
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The American Conference, which includes both Navy and UTSA, issued a statement Saturday before officials announced the Airman’s death.
‘The American Conference is deeply saddened by tonight’s pregame incident at the Alamodome,’ the statement said. ‘Our thoughts are with the individual involved, their family and colleagues, and everyone who witnessed or was affected by it.’
‘We consulted with representatives of both participating member institutions, Alamodome management, local authorities and a working group to review the information available,’ the statement continued. ‘We respect the family’s privacy and will coordinate any further updates with the appropriate authorities. We are also working with our member institutions to help connect those affected with available support resources.’
The ceiling at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas is 180ft above the field
In a statement to Our News Outlet, a UTSA spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s football game. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues.’
‘We recognize that members of our campus community may be emotionally affected by this incident and are activating wellbeing services to support our faculty, staff and students.’
The school has offered counselling services to students in need of assistance.
The viral X user known as Freddy was at the game and later shared a post about the incident before news of the Airman’s death had been publicized.
‘Another college game done,’ the semi-anonymous social media influencer and minor World Cup celebrity wrote on X amid his prolonged tour of the United States. ‘UTSA got the win against Navy! Thank you to all the nice people that we met today.
‘Unfortunately,’ he continued, ‘there was a serious accident before the game, which is why I stopped updating on here. Our thoughts are with the service member and his family.’
After the game, UTSA coach Jeff Traylor described the situation he faced in the locker room as his anxious team looked to take the field.
‘The only information I had was there had been an incident, and the game was going to be delayed, and we didn’t expand upon it any further than that,’ Traylor said, as quoted by the Express-News. ‘I didn’t know if I did the right thing or not. I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know what to tell them, so that’s how I handled it.
‘What I heard that happened is heartbreaking, but I want to give the family time,’ Traylor added. ‘They’re in our prayers. It’s tragic.’
