UTSA to wear helmet decal to honor fallen airman
UTSA will wear a commemorative helmet decal in remembrance of the airman who died after falling during a pregame demonstration.
Following a tragic accident at the Alamodome during a pregame demonstration, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) football team will commemorate the life of fallen Airman Ian Patterson by adorning their helmets with a personalized decal bearing his nickname, "Patty." This gesture of remembrance extends to all teams within the American Conference for the week's games.
In addition to the helmet decal, moments of silence will be observed before UTSA's road game against Tulane in New Orleans, its home volleyball match against UAB, and its home soccer match against Temple. The Air Force has not disclosed the cause of Patterson's fall during a rappelling demonstration prior to the football game against Navy on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Born in Fort Stewart, Georgia, Patterson served as a tactical air control instructor in Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Throughout his 15-year military career, Patterson earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2022 Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year award and the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
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