NEW ORLEANS – College football fans paid their respects with a moment of silence at the Superdome on Thursday in honor of the victims of a terrorist attack that caused the Sugar Bowl to be postponed from its traditional New Year’s Day slot. The College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame was rescheduled to start almost 20 hours later due to a lone assailant’s attack on pedestrians in the French Quarter.
Originally scheduled for 7:45 p.m. CST on Wednesday, the Sugar Bowl was delayed after a U.S. Army veteran from Texas drove his rented pickup truck into New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street at approximately 3:15 a.m., resulting in the tragic loss of more than a dozen lives. The postponement was necessary as local law enforcement authorities redirected their resources to the crime scene, situated less than a mile away from the Superdome where the Sugar Bowl was to take place.
The section of Bourbon Street where the incident occurred had been cordoned off for investigation by both local and federal agencies but was reopened before the rescheduled kickoff. Governor Jeff Landry shared with the press on Thursday that the community would recover and be hospitable to visitors seeking solace from the challenges of everyday life.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick assured the public that a significant number of officers would be patrolling the area to ensure safety. She emphasized, “People are going to see an incredibly large presence of police and we are confident. But we want our community to feel confident and know they are confident” that the French Quarter will be secure.
Just hours prior, authorities had expressed concerns about the possibility of the suspect having accomplices. Governor Landry acknowledged the fluidity of the situation, stating, “I know something may change again. Here’s what I do know, though: Right now, this is one of the safest places on earth.”
The tragic events have raised queries about the safety of future high-profile gatherings in New Orleans, notably the upcoming Super Bowl scheduled for February 9 at the Superdome. The city has been a frequent host for the NFL’s championship game, having staged it 10 times, with three occasions at Tulane University and seven at the Superdome. The Superdome holds the distinction of hosting the most Super Bowls of any venue.
Despite the recent tragedy on Bourbon Street, the NFL has expressed confidence in New Orleans’ capacity to host the Super Bowl. In a statement released on Wednesday, the league affirmed its belief that attendees will have a secure and pleasurable experience during the event in just over five weeks.
Reported by Jesse Kirsch and Deon J. Hampton from New Orleans, and by David K. Li from New York City.
This is an ongoing story. Further updates will be provided.
