Navy Parachutist Breaks His Back in Pregame Stunt at Holiday Bowl

Jeffrey Smith of the Navy’s Leap Frog parachute team suffered a broken back when he crash-landed during pregame ceremonies Friday night at the Thrifty Car Rental Holiday Bowl at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Smith, a petty officer first class from the Naval Amphibious Base at Coronado, was in stable condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, said Capt. Mark Neuhart, a Navy spokesman. Smith hit the stadium floor at about 20 m.p.h. when his chute malfunctioned.

Another member of the Leap Frogs broke his back during an exhibition before a San Diego Padre game in April at the same stadium.