A man jumped to his death at the University of Florida’s football stadium Monday morning, days before the school’s season home-opening game.
Police responded to reports of a man standing on a ledge at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville just before 9:50 a.m., according to the Gainesville Sun.
The 51-year-old man, who has not been identified, was found on a concrete beam in the stadium’s west concourse, where police tried to negotiate with him to get down safely.
However, the man stepped off and fell, landing on the concourse near the stadium’s Gate 4, the outlet reported.
The height of the drop was estimated to be between 60 and 80 feet.
First responders performed “life-saving measures” on the man, who was initially reported to be conscious and breathing.
But the man suffered fatal injuries in the fall and was pronounced dead at 10:05 a.m.
No one else was in the stadium at the time and officials called it an isolated incident.
The man’s name was being withheld pending notification of his kin
He was not connected to the university and was believed to have likely been homeless, WCJB reported.
The fatal plunge came less than a year after Ohio State student William Meyers jumped to his own death at the school’s football stadium.
The 19-year-old Connecticut native was found near Ohio Stadium’s northeast corner on Sept. 26, 2025 at around 10 a.m.
Officials ruled his death a suicide.
Monday’s horrifying death came days before the Gators kicked off the 2026 campaign with a home game against Florida Atlantic.
Florida, coming off a 4-8 record in the 2025 season, received 51 votes in the AP preseason Top 25 ranking.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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