The College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 5 Notre Dame is taking place in New Orleans, just a mile away from the site of a deadly terror attack on Bourbon Street. At least 15 people were killed and dozens were injured when a driver in a Ford pick-up truck plowed through a crowd in the French Quarter on New Year’s Day. Law enforcement officials have increased security measures for the Sugar Bowl, with the FBI investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. The game was postponed to Thursday in the interest of public safety.
New Orleans police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that security for the Sugar Bowl will be at the same level, if not more, than what was expected for the upcoming Super Bowl. The Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, will host the championship game on February 9, and the city has been working on safety infrastructure improvements for years. Thousands of fans are expected to attend next month. Local law enforcement, FBI personnel, and trained canines have been deployed to the stadium as a precautionary measure following the terror attack.
During a press conference, officials confirmed that the suspect in the attack, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was acting alone. The FBI discovered a potential improvised explosive device (IED), weapons, and an ISIS flag in Jabbar’s vehicle after he was killed at the scene. Other potential IEDs were also found and recovered by officials. The Sugar Bowl was originally scheduled for an 8:45 p.m. ET start time but was moved to an earlier kickoff at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday due to public safety concerns. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley emphasized that public safety is the top priority for all involved.
The decision to postpone the game was made collectively with all parties agreeing it was in the best interest of public safety. Despite the tragic incident on Bourbon Street, the Sugar Bowl went ahead amid tight security measures. The Associated Press contributed to the report, and fans were able to follow the coverage of the game through Fox News Digital’s sports section. Fans were encouraged to subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for updates on the game and ongoing coverage of sports events. The city of New Orleans continues to work towards ensuring the safety of fans and residents as they prepare for the upcoming Super Bowl and other major events.
