# Air Force sergeant dies in fall during football game stunt

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/heartbroken-father-of-us-airman-said-son-was-very-excited-to-perform-rappelling-stunt-at-texas-football-game-after-missing-out-last-year-before-ending-in-tragedy/
- Published: 2026-10-22T06:17:59+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T06:37:28+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16228827/Ian-Patterson-Air-Force-sergeant-excited-rappeling-stunt.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Americas, Art, Culture, Football, Sport, World

## Key points

- Ian Patterson died after a 170-foot fall during a football game stunt.
- His father said he was excited to perform after missing out last year.
- Patterson had served in the Air Force for more than 15 years.

## Summary

Tech Sergeant Ian Patterson, a 37-year-old US Air Force serviceman, died after falling about 170 feet while rappelling from the rafters at Saturday’s Navy-University of Texas football game in San Antonio. The accident is under investigation; his father said Patterson had been keen to take part after missing the chance the previous year.

Patterson had served in the Air Force for more than 15 years and was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio. He received several military commendations and had been stationed in Korea, Germany and Colorado. His family remembered him as a devoted husband and father of two young boys, as well as a baseball fan and bourbon collector.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.