Texas State cornerback Amarion Atwood (23) recovers a fumble by Rice defensive end Michael Daley (1) during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Julio Cortez/AP)
FORT WORTH, Texas (Tribune News Service) — A parachuter crash-landed during a pregame show before the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. The parachutist was part of a team performing before the Texas State vs. Rice game.
The jump was meant to be a special moment right before kickoff. Several parachutists from the All Veteran Group carrying large flags jumped from a small plane. The first jumper landed safely on the field. Then, the second jumper got tangled in equipment that caught on a wire and did not land as planned.
People in the stadium, including fans and players, watched as the jumper fell awkwardly to the ground near the south end zone. Many people gasped when it happened. The media director for the bowl said the parachutist walked away after the fall and seemed to be okay. The parachutist’s name wasn’t immediately released.
Officials at the game said the tangled equipment looked like it may have caught on a wire before the parachutist came down. It left the jumper briefly stuck high in the air before they dropped to the grass.
There were no injuries reported among the fans or players on the ground, even though the parachutist landed close to people near the stadium field.
The Armed Forces Bowl brings together college football teams to honor military service members. This year’s matchup featured the Texas State Bobcats and the Rice Owls. Texas State finished its regular season with a 6-6 record, while Rice accepted an invitation to play after another team opted out.
This was not the end of the show. After the parachute mishap, other jumpers completed their performance. A few landing spots were bumpy, but they all made it to the ground.
The game started without a delay, despite the pregame surprise. Fans inside the stadium cheered as the teams took the field for the start of the bowl game.
The All Veteran Group parachuting team is made up of military veterans who often perform at major events, including college games and NFL matches. The team has jumped at previous Armed Forces Bowls, showing support for the “Bowl for the Brave” theme each year.
Officials continue to check on what caused the equipment entanglement. For now, the parachutist’s safety and the fast start of the game helped keep the crowd focused on the football action.
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