Air Force service member dies after accident at Alamodome before UTSA-Navy game
Updated October 18, 2026, 1:18 p.m. ET
The Air Force has confirmed that the service member who fell from the rafters of the Alamodome during a military event before Saturday’s UTSA-Navy football game has died.
Originally reported by the San Antonio Express-News, the military officer — part of the 6th Combat Training Squadron’s Detachment 2 rappel team, headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada — fell during a rappel demonstration. The unit operates out of Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis in Texas.
The officer was reportedly mid-step, at which point he appeared to lose control and slid down the line, crashing to the ground. At that point, medical staff tended to them before transferring them off the field, delaying the Roadrunners’ designated “Salute to the Armed Forces and Veterans” game by approximately 10 minutes.
A spokesperson for Nellis confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY that the serviceman was injured at the stadium and transported to a local hospital, where he later died. The incident remains under investigation.
Statements from UTSA and Conference USA on pre-game incident
UTSA released a statement on October 17 following the incident, as did the American Conference.
“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s football game. Our most sincere thoughts and prayers are with the affected soldier, his family and his fellow soldiers.
UTSA then released another statement, this one from President Taylor Eighmy. It reads, in part:
“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 should have been a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration was marked by deep sadness. I want to express my deepest and sincere condolences to the service member’s family, his fellow Airmen, the squadron and all those whose lives were touched by this heartbreaking tragedy. I am very grateful to all of the medical staff of the City of San Antonio Fire Department, the medical staff and coaches of our own team, the Alamodome staff and all of our colleagues who supported the efforts on the ground and afterwards.
“We come together to support our teams, to celebrate shared traditions, and to experience the bonds of community. But above all, we come together for each other. In times of deep sadness, these bonds take on an even deeper meaning. We remember that our greatest responsibility is to treat one another with compassion, dignity, and the highest degree of respect, and to offer care and support when it is most needed.”
What UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said about the accident
Speaking after the game, UTSA football coach Jeff Traylor confirmed that his team felt a distinctive difference in the Alamodome crowd after the incident.
“There was something. You could just tell the energy was gone,” Traylor said. “So I’ve never had to deal with anything like this before. It just puts things into perspective.”
Traylor later clarified that he was unaware of the incident before the game, sharing that he and his team were only informed that there had been an incident and that the game was going to be delayed.
“I didn’t know anything,” Traylor said. “I didn’t know what to say to them. That’s how I handled the situation.”
This story will be updated.
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