Armed Forces Bowl pregame stunt goes awry as parachutist hits netting
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A routine pregame skydiving stunt went awry at Friday’s Armed Forces Bowl.
A parachutist appeared to briefly become entangled in mesh and support cables near the end zone shortly before Texas State and Rice took off. The person hung in the air for a while and fell to the ground between the field grass and the stadium seating area.
The paratrooper managed to leave the area without assistance. Bowl game organizers later confirmed he was not seriously injured.
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Lincoln Pare (7) of the Texas State Bobcats scores a touchdown against the Rice Owls in the second half of the 2026 Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas on January 2, 2026. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
There were no injuries to the fans.
Six members of the All Veteran Group parachute team were trying to land before the start of the annual bowl game in Fort Worth, Texas. While four of the paratroopers landed safely, one parachutist had to change course and another parachutist diverted towards the nets.
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“He stood up, grabbed his parachute and walked away,” Armed Forces Bowl spokesman Drew Harris told The Athletic.
according to National Weather ServiceWind gusts of approximately 19 mph were reported near Amon G. Carter Stadium at the time of the incident. High winds may have contributed to the parachutist coming into contact with the nets. The paratrooper’s personal information was not immediately released.
Chris Dawn Jr. of the Texas State Bobcats. (1) and Beau Sparks (11) celebrate after their game against the Rice Owls during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium on January 2, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
All Veteran Group was founded in 2011. The group had previously pitched in the same bowl game four years ago. At the Carolina Panthers’ pregame festivities at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, the group often appears as part of USAA’s parachute team.
Texas State Bobcats head coach GJ Kinne holds the trophy after winning the Armed Forces Bowl against the Rice Owls on January 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Despite the parachuting accident, the planned F-35 flyover still went ahead without incident.
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The incident did not delay the start of the game and Texas State defeated Rice 41-10.
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