This article was written by Gus Wilson and published on Sport & State, a new media company founded by Clay Travis that is built around sports, culture, original voices, and live conversation.* * * * *
A member of the U.S. Air Force has been identified after a fatal fall during a pregame rappelling demonstration before Navy-UTSA on Saturday.
On Sunday, the service member was identified as Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson. The service member was one of four military personnel scheduled to participate in the demonstration as part of UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game.
Prior to kickoff of the first-ever matchup between the two programs, a service member assigned to Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron fell while rappelling from the ceiling of the Alamodome.
Medical personnel immediately treated Patterson on the field before transporting him to a local hospital. The incident delayed kickoff by about 10 minutes.
The Air Force confirmed Sunday that Patterson died from his injuries at the hospital.
Video of the fall circulated on social media. Viewer discretion is advised.
TRAGIC UPDATE: The Air Force service member who fell during a pregame rappelling demonstration at the UTSA-Navy football game Saturday nigh, has died. The service member was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2.
The Air Force said the incident is under investigation. The service member has not been identified.
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 18, 2026
Patterson served for 15 years and was highly decorated, earning many commendation and achievement medals as well as Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2022.
Both the American Conference and Nellis Air Force released statements over the weekend following the incident.
We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s football game. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues.
We recognize that members of our campus community may be emotionally affected by this incident and are activating wellbeing services to support our faculty, staff and students. (1/2)
— UT San Antonio (@UTSA) October 18, 2026
“This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, 57th Wing commander. “Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him. Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”
“All of us at the American Conference are heartbroken by the death of the U.S. Air Force service member who took part in the pregame demonstration at the Alamodome on Oct. 17,” the conference wrote. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and members of the 57th Wing who had the privilege of serving with him. We honor his service and join the military community in mourning his loss.”
Statement from the American Conference on tonight’s pregame incident at the Alamodome. https://t.co/74owLnGreQ
— The American (@American_Conf) October 18, 2026
According to Nellis Air Force, details surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.
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