Parachutist Narrowly Escapes Injury After Tangling in Netting at Armed Forces Bowl
FORT WORTH, Texas — A pregame parachuting display intended to honor the military at Friday’s Armed Forces Bowl nearly ended in disaster when one of the skydivers became briefly entangled in netting near the stadium’s end zone. The incident occurred just before kickoff between Texas State and Rice at Amon G. Carter Stadium, where six members of the All Veteran Group parachuting team were performing their annual jump.
While four of the parachutists landed safely, one jumper had to adjust course, and another was caught in the netting and support wiring above the end zone. The skydiver was momentarily suspended in the air before falling to the ground between the turf and the seating area. Remarkably, the parachutist was able to stand, gather his parachute, and walk away without assistance. Bowl officials later confirmed that he sustained no serious injuries.
“He got up, grabbed his parachute and walked off,” Armed Forces Bowl spokesperson Drew Harris told The Athletic. No fans were reported injured during the mishap, and the game proceeded on schedule.
According to the National Weather Service, winds of approximately 12 miles per hour were recorded near the stadium at the time, which may have contributed to the parachutist’s unintended collision with the netting. The All Veteran Group, established in 2011, has performed at the Armed Forces Bowl in previous years and is known for its military tribute jumps. The team also frequently participates in pregame festivities for the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
Despite the unexpected interruption, the event continued smoothly with a scheduled F-35 flyover taking place without incident. Texas State went on to defeat Rice 41-10 in the bowl game.
The parachutist’s identity has not been publicly released. The Armed Forces Bowl organizers and the All Veteran Group have expressed relief that the incident did not result in serious harm and reiterated their commitment to safety in future performances.
For more information on the Armed Forces Bowl and related military appreciation events, visit the official Armed Forces Bowl website. Updates on parachuting safety standards and aerial demonstrations can be found through the Federal Aviation Administration.
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