It probably seemed like an awesome idea to the people at North Carolina to have a couple of skydivers descend onto the field moments before kickoff yesterday to deliver the game ball. If I were there -- and especially if I had spent the morning tailgating -- I probably would have thought it was a spectacular start to the season. But, it appears the little stunt hit a snag.
The skydivers delivered the ball to the wrong stadium. They landed at the Duke game.
The skydivers delivered the ball to the wrong stadium. They landed at the Duke game.
"According to UNC assistant athletic director for promotions Michael Beale, the plane was in the air but the jumpers from Virginia-based Aerial Adventures opted to cancel the leap into Kenan Stadium because of weather.
Evidently, when the clouds eventually opened, the pilot thought they were over the correct stadium, and the skydivers jumped -- realizing only when they landed in Wallace Wade that they were in the wrong place.The two men immediately scrambled off the field with the game ball, and when UNC associate athletic director Rick Steinbacher was informed by a reporter of what had happened, he immediately called Duke officials to confirm the miscue and offer his apologies.
Judging from this video, however, it looks like the Dookies still got a kick out of it. Even if it was an hour before kickoff and the stands were pretty barren.
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