At a Glance
- A parachutist fell nearly 30 feet during the pre-game ceremony at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
- The chute tangled in goalpost netting, causing the fall.
- No injuries were reported; the skydiver walked away.
- Why it matters: Spectators were safe and the Armed Forces Bowl proceeded without incident.
A paratrooper fell to the ground as he entered Amon G. Carter Stadium for the Armed Forces Bowl between Rice and Texas State. The skydiver, part of the All Veteran Group, was performing before the game when his lines tangled in netting behind the goalposts. The fall was about 30 feet, but no one was injured.
Pre-Game Skydiving Event
The All Veteran Group, a team with over 100,000 combined jumps, performed a pre-game jump in front of a crowd of fans. They carried a U.S. Navy flag and landed behind the goalpost. The event was part of the Armed Forces Bowl ceremony.
Incident Details
The parachutist’s lines drew sharply backward just above the goalpost, suspending him briefly before the chute collapsed. He fell approximately 30 feet to the ground. Winds were troublesome, but no injuries occurred.
- 30-foot fall
- No injuries reported
- Second parachutist landed safely outside the stadium
Official Statements
Drew Harris stated:
> “The parachutist walked away and no one in the crowded area behind the end zone was injured when the skydiver fell.”
Mike Elliott said in a Facebook post:
> “Today, the winds were a little tricky, and one of the jumpers kind of got behind the power curve. He did the best he could do. He did not land in the crowd. He did land behind the goalpost, but without a scratch. He walked away.”
Key Takeaways
- Paratrooper fell ~30 feet but no injuries.
- Wind conditions caused chute tangling.
- Event continued safely with no impact on the game.
The incident highlighted the importance of safety measures during aerial displays, and the Armed Forces Bowl proceeded without disruption.
