A pregame stunt turned into a bit of a scary scene Friday at the Armed Forces Bowl in North Texas.

Just before the noon kickoff for the Texas State versus Rice game, several parachutists with large flags in tow jumped from a small plane above Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth with plans of landing on the grass playing surface. But after the first person made it to the ground, the second appeared to become entangled with an unknown object, leading to a clunky landing and cascade of gasps from onlookers. 

“We’ve been told he walked away on his own power,” said Drew Harris, the media director for the bowl game.

Harris said information about the parachutist, including name or age, was not immediately available, but he is a man. Some piece of his parachute wiring was caught by the field goal netting behind the south end zone, leaving them suspended in the air for about a half-second before falling into a crowd of people.  

Harris said no one on the ground was injured, either.

The jumpers were part of the All Veteran Group parachuting team. The squad, made of military veterans, has been working since 2011, according to its website. AVG has performed at several events, including NFL and college football games. It’s not the first time the group’s performed at the Armed Forces Bowl, aptly sponsored by Lockheed Martin, and its website shows its successful jumps from the 2021 game. 

At least three subsequent parachutist Friday were seen landing as expected on the field — though one fell somewhat hard on their behind, but quickly rose their feet. Another performer appeared to miss the stadium playing field in their attempt. Harris said that jumper was veered off course due to high winds, but landed safely. 

Rice and Texas State began without delay after the mishap.