The Pittsburgh Pirates fan who fell from the stands and onto the field during Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs has been identified as former college football player Kavan Markwood.
TMZ revealed Markwood’s identity on Thursday. The 20-year-old is a former Pennsylvania High School football star who played college football at Wheeling University in 2023.
Prior to his time at Wheeling, Markwood played at Walsh University in 2022.
Kavan Markwood played high school football at South Allegheny High School in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was named first-team all-conference and the team’s MVP as a senior.
A spokesperson for the South Allegheny School District confirmed to TribLive that Kavan Markwood is the fan who fell 20-plus feet over the wall in right field Wednesday night.
“Everyone at South Allegheny would say he is a hardworking, highly resilient young man. He’s a fighter. He’s going to need that resiliency now. But he has it,” district spokesperson Laura Thomson told TribLive. “He’s touched a lot of lives at South Allegheny. We’re a small community. He’s a household name here. Everyone knows him.
“He has the prayers and the support of the South Allegheny community.”
Markwood remains in critical condition, according to TribLive.
The incident occurred during the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday night on a play where Andrew McCutchen drove in a pair of runs with a double to center to give the Pirates a 4-3 lead. Pittsburgh went on to win the game by that score.
Markwood fell over the 21-foot Clemente Wall in right field and landed on the warning track. He was eventually carted off the field and transported to a local hospital.
The Pirates shared a statement Wednesday night about the incident.
“Tonight, during the seventh inning of the game at PNC Park, an adult male fell from the right field bleachers onto the field of play. Pittsburgh EMS, as well as the Pirates and Cubs athletic training teams and other PNC Park personnel reacted and responded immediately and administered care,” the statement reads.
“He was transported to Allegheny General Hospital. No further information is available at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”
Andrew McCutchen posted about the incident on Twitter after the game, passing along his best wishes to the fan.
“Truly hate what happened tonight. Cant help but think about that guy, his family and friends,” the post reads. “I pray tonight for him. Let us think about his loved ones and hug our families a little tighter tonight. I hope he pulls thru. May God Bless you all. Good night.”
