The NFL and the New Orleans Saints are working to address concerns surrounding the safety and security of the upcoming Super Bowl 59 following a tragic incident in the city. On Wednesday morning, a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street resulted in the loss of 10 lives and left 35 individuals injured. Consequently, the Sugar Bowl, initially slated for Wednesday night at the Caesars Superdome, was rescheduled to Thursday night.
Amid escalating worries regarding the security of the upcoming Super Bowl, scheduled to take place in the same Superdome in February, the NFL released a statement to reassure attendees. The league expressed solidarity with the victims and those impacted by the recent events while emphasizing their ongoing collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies to develop robust security plans.
“The NFL and the local host committee have been working diligently with various agencies over the past two years to create comprehensive security protocols. These planning efforts will persist, as is customary for all major NFL events, ensuring a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl experience for all attendees,” the statement read.
Super Bowl 59 is slated to be held on Sunday, February 9. The New Orleans Saints also extended their support to the community in the wake of the tragedy, emphasizing the city’s resilience and the importance of unity in times of adversity.
In a joint statement with the Pelicans, the Saints remarked, “New Orleans is a city known for its resilience, and the recent events serve as a poignant reminder of the significance of coming together to support one another, honor the affected individuals, and embark on a collective path toward healing.”
Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi shared his heartfelt condolences and thoughts on the tragic incident, acknowledging the senselessness of the attack. Rizzi, personally affected by the events, highlighted the need for support and unity within the community.
“Today is, obviously, a very somber day in our community. I want to send out my personal heartfelt condolences, thoughts, prayers to all the victims… it goes without saying this was senseless and hard to understand,” Rizzi stated. “It hits home with me personally. I have five children between the ages of 17 and 26, and I can tell you early this morning, the first thing I thought of was my own son was out last night for New Year’s Eve in this community. My daughter was home just last week and was down in the French Quarter. This hits home… I know there’s a lot of information still coming out but I want to reiterate how much support and how much thought is coming from the New Orleans Saints.”
This year marks the 11th occasion that New Orleans will host the Super Bowl, with the last hosting taking place during Super Bowl 47 in 2013. The NFL assures attendees that the upcoming Super Bowl in the city will be a secure and safe event, despite recent tragic events.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY, emphasizing the NFL’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being
