Air Force service member dies following rappelling fall at Alamodome

A military service member died after falling from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, before Saturday's college football game between UTSA and Navy. CBS College Football and Yahoo Sports reported that Nellis Air Force Base confirmed the service member succumbed to injuries at a local hospital. According to Yahoo Sports, the incident delayed the start of the game. [1][2][4][5][7][8][9][10][11]

CBS College Football cited Nellis Air Force Base officials who stated the airman was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2. The fall occurred during a pregame rappelling demonstration for UTSA's annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game. Citing the San Antonio Express-News, CBS College Football reported that the service member slipped down the rope in an uncontrolled manner and crashed to the ground. [1][4]

The Alamodome is a city-owned facility in San Antonio that seats up to 65,000 people for football games and has hosted the UTSA Roadrunners football team since 2011. Following the delay, UTSA defeated Navy 38-34, moving to a 6-1 record on the season. According to Associated Press coverage via Yahoo Sports, Owen McCown threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 41-yard pass to A'Marion Peterson with 2:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. [3][6][16]

Yahoo Sports reported that the American Conference issued an explanation regarding why the game was played following the fatal fall. Nellis Air Force Base confirmed the death on Sunday morning. [1][5]