The Pittsburgh Pirates fan who fell from the outfield wall Wednesday night at PNC Park has been identified as Kavan Markwood, a former Division II college football player. Markwood, 21, was critically injured after he fell headfirst from the bleachers of the 21-foot Clemente Wall in right field and onto the warning track during a game against the Chicago Cubs.
Markwood played football at Walsh University in Ohio before transferring to Wheeling University in West Virginia. Both are Division II programs. Markwood did not see any varsity action during his lone season at Walsh in 2022. He appeared in five games as a redshirt freshman at Wheeling in 2023, recording four total tackles. Markwood graduated from South Allegheny in the suburbs of Pittsburgh in 2022. He was named the football MVP as a senior and earned all-conference honors.
“There are some positive signs that were shared with me that he is responding to, but he’s fighting for his life right now,” South Allegheny School District superintendent David McDonald told KDKA in Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Markwood fell from the stands while appearing to celebrate an RBI double from Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen in the seventh inning. He was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital in critical condition. According to KDKA, Markwood fractured his skull as a result of the fall.
“Kavan is best known for his resilience, strength, and kindness,” the district spokesperson said. “He is a friend to all—someone who lifts others up and faces challenges with courage and grace. … If there is somebody who going to be able to overcome this, it’s going to be Kavan Markwood because he’s a tough kid. He’s a fighter. He’s proven that for 21 years to get to the point where he is now, and we need to rally around Kavan.”
Pittsburgh Pirates chairman Bob Nutting released a statement Thursday that read, in part: “We are all deeply saddened and truly heartbroken after the terrible accident that occurred last night. It was one of the most difficult moments many of us have ever experienced. We are devastated. Pirates baseball is a community, and our fans are like family. In times like these, we must come together, support one another, and keep him and his loved ones in our prayers. We also want to thank and appreciate the efforts of the first responders who rushed to his attention and provided him with compassionate care.”
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