Backlash follows decision to continue UTSA-Navy game after airman's deadly fall

An Airman tragically died in a rappelling demonstration before the UT San Antonio-Navy football game on Saturday, October 17, and many were surprised to hear that the game was not canceled. Now, the American Conference is responding to the backlash over the game moving forward after a short delay.

UTSA-Navy game continued after airman's fall, drawing backlash

During a pregame demonstration, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson fell from the rafters of the Alamodome instead of safely rappelling down to the field. Witnesses describe seeing him speed uncontrollably to the ground: "Everyone knew their lives were altered forever. It was that type of event," one witness told MySA. The game proceeded after a short delay, and in a postgame presser, UTSA head coach said he and the team "didn't have any information" about the accident.

"The only information I had was that there had been an incident, and the game was going to be delayed, and we didn't expand upon it any more than that," Traylor said.

Details of the accident are still under investigation, but Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada confirmed Patterson's identity on Sunday. He was a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, Joint Base San Antonio. Originally from Fort Stewart, Georgia, he served for 15 years.

The decision to continue the game, UTSA's annual Salute to Armed Services & Veterans, sparked a wave of social media backlash. Many in attendance said on social media that they "watched from the stands in stunned silence" and were distressed by what they saw. 

"Why was UTSA's game allowed to continue just minutes after a service member suffered such a horrific accident?" one commenter wrote under a UTSA Facebook post. "On a night dedicated to honoring our armed forces and veterans, one of those very individuals was rushed to the hospital, yet the game went on. Thoughts and prayers are appreciated, but actions speak louder. Shouldn't honoring those who serve mean prioritizing their lives and well-being over keeping a game on schedule?"

Another commenter said, "I can't believe the game continued 10 minutes later. Fans watched someone die!"

Conference responds to backlash after fatal accident in San Antonio

The American Conference, the member organization of both UTSA and the U.S. Naval Academy, is responding to the backlash. 

On Sunday, the conference released a statement extending its condolences to Patterson's family, friends, colleagues and others. It explained its decision to give the game the green light despite the tragic accident before kickoff. The statement says that American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti and a working group met with representatives from both teams, Alamodome management and local authorities during the game to "review the information available and discuss next steps." According to the conference, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs hadn't publicly confirmed Patterson's condition at the time. 

The decision was made "in accordance with conference bylaws" and with UTSA and the Naval Academy's support, owing to a desire to "mitigate speculation" over Patterson's condition, respect his family's privacy and avoid additional distress, according to the conference. 

"Air Force casualty notification and information-release procedures establish safeguards for notifying families and publicly releasing casualty information," the statement reads. "Later, at 11:40 p.m. Eastern time, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs confirmed that the service member had been injured during the pregame demonstration and transported to a local hospital, where he later died."

The American Conference said, "We are grateful to the first responders and emergency personnel who provided immediate care on the field. Our hearts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this tragedy."

This article originally published at Backlash follows decision to continue UTSA-Navy game after airman's deadly fall.