Parachutists Experience Rough Landing at Armed Forces Bowl

New Delhi, January 3, 2026: A terrifying moment was witnessed by thousands of spectators on January 2, 2026, during the pregame festivities of the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. As the crowd at Amon G. Carter Stadium prepared for the matchup between Texas State and Rice, a scheduled parachute demonstration by the All Veteran Group (AVG) took an unexpected turn. The high-energy entrance, intended to honor military service members, was marred by a series of rough landings that were captured in viral videos shared across social media.

Entangled in the Netting: A Heart-Stopping Fall

The most alarming incident involved a parachutist who appeared to be carrying the U.S. Navy flag. The jumper was observed getting caught in a cable or wire associated with the field-goal netting just above the end zone. The footage vividly shows the individual being suspended in the air for a brief, tense moment before plummeting approximately 35 feet to the ground. The sudden fall was met with audible gasps from the crowd, as the intended ceremonial landing transformed into a frantic scene of concern.

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Tricky Winds and Stadium Malfunctions

The mishap was attributed by officials to unpredictable high winds that affected the descent of the five-person team. While three of the parachutists were seen touching down safely on the field, the remaining two struggled against the elements. One jumper was reportedly blown off course and ended up landing outside the stadium altogether. The All Veteran Group’s president, Mike Elliott, was later heard explaining that the tricky gusts forced the jumpers “behind the power curve,” leading to the hard landings seen by the public.

A Miraculous Recovery on the Field

Despite the severity of the fall, a sense of relief was felt when the individual was observed getting up under their own power. A spokesperson for the Armed Forces Bowl confirmed that the parachutist was able to walk off the field without assistance and refused medical attention. It was further clarified by the AVG that no spectators or players on the ground were injured during the incident. The team described their member as being “hard as nails,” emphasizing that despite the rough landing, the mission to support the veterans remained successful.

The Game Goes On Amidst the Viral Storm

As the viral clips continue to amass millions of views, the incident has highlighted the inherent risks involved in stadium skydiving stunts. Fortunately, the pregame scare did not delay the kickoff, and the Texas State Bobcats proceeded to secure a dominant 41-7 victory over the Rice Owls. While the scoreline was the headline for football fans, for the millions who watched the aerial footage, the resilience of the veteran jumper became the defining story of the 2026 Armed Forces Bowl