Air Force officer dies after fall while rappelling before UTSA's game vs. Navy at Alamodome

An Air Force officer died from his injuries after falling from the rafters before UTSA's game against Navy at the Alamodome on Saturday night.

The game was UTSA's Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans night and featured officers rappelling down to the field before kickoff. One of the officers fell from high above the field onto the turf below.

In a statement obtained by multiple outlets , Nellis Air Force Base said that the unidentified officer was from the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, and died at a San Antonio-area hospital from his injuries.

The man received medical attention before he was placed on a stretcher and driven off the field.

UTSA said in a statement that it was "deeply saddened by the incident" but no update on the officer's condition was immediately given. In videos of the fall, the crowd let out an audible sound when the military officer hit the turf. He began his descent higher than the hanging scoreboard.

The American Conference said it had consulted with both teams after the fall.

"The American Conference is deeply saddened by tonight's pregame incident at the Alamodome," the statement said. "Our thoughts are with the individual involved, their family and colleagues, and everyone who witnessed or was affected by it. "We consulted with representatives of both participating member institutions, Alamodome management, local authorities and a working group to review the information available. "We respect the family's privacy and will coordinate any further updates with the appropriate authorities. We are also working with our member institutions to help connected those affected with available support resources."

"The American Conference is deeply saddened by tonight's pregame incident at the Alamodome," the statement said. "Our thoughts are with the individual involved, their family and colleagues, and everyone who witnessed or was affected by it.

"We consulted with representatives of both participating member institutions, Alamodome management, local authorities and a working group to review the information available.

"We respect the family's privacy and will coordinate any further updates with the appropriate authorities. We are also working with our member institutions to help connected those affected with available support resources."

The game was delayed slightly because of the incident, and UTSA won 38-34. The Roadrunners moved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 atop the American Conference, while Navy fell to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

"There was something — you could just tell that the energy was just gone," UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said after the game of the crowd after his team took the field. "I've never had to deal with anything like that before. It just puts things in perspective. It really does."