SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — A service member has died from his injuries after he fell while attempting to rappel from the rafters during a pregame demonstration before UTSA’s football game against Navy on Saturday, the Air Force said.
Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs issued a statement saying the service member was injured at the stadium and died at a nearby hospital.
As part of a pregame ceremony for UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans game, four officers were set to rappel down to the field at the Alamodome before kickoff. The officer appeared to lose control while descending, sliding down the line and hitting the turf.
The game went on to be played after kickoff time was delayed by 10 minutes.
The incident is under investigation. The Air Force base did not release the service member’s identity.
©2026 Cox Media Group





