Military Member Hurt in Fall During UTSA Pregame Rappel — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Military service member lost control and crashed to the turf while attempting to rappel from the Alamodome rafters 15 minutes before kickoff of UTSA's game against Navy on Saturday.
- UTSA's Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans ceremony called for four officers to descend to the field; the injured service member was taken out on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital.
- Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis supplied the rappel team, a UTSA spokesperson confirmed to ESPN.
- UTSA issued a statement saying it is "deeply saddened" and is activating well-being services for faculty, staff, and students emotionally affected by the incident.
- Officials have not released the service member's identity or the extent of his injuries.
- Kickoff was delayed 10 minutes, but the UTSA-Navy game was played as scheduled.
Why it matters: A tribute to military service during UTSA's annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans game ended with the very service member being honored requiring hospitalization, creating an awkward moment for the university. With the injured service member's condition unreleased, the incident puts the safety of high-profile pregame military demonstrations under fresh scrutiny at a venue that hosts them regularly.
Ask SkimNews
