The annual Sugar Bowl, scheduled for New Year’s Day in New Orleans, has been postponed by one day following a devastating truck-ramming attack on Bourbon Street. The early Wednesday morning incident left at least fifteen people dead and numerous others injured. The suspect, who allegedly fired upon police officers with an assault rifle, was killed. The FBI is investigating the event as an act of terrorism.
The attack occurred at 3:15 a.m. local time, approximately sixteen hours before the scheduled kickoff between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Discussions regarding a postponement or cancellation of the Sugar Bowl arose Wednesday morning due to concerns about the extensive security resources required for the event. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams confirmed the game’s postponement to January 2nd in an afternoon announcement on ABC News.
Both participating universities, the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame, issued statements expressing their condolences to the victims and their families. The University of Georgia’s statement, released on X, conveyed their horror and sadness at the violence and pledged support to the New Orleans community. Notre Dame President, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, similarly offered prayers and gratitude to first responders in a statement, emphasizing the university’s solidarity with those affected.
The New Orleans Police Department reported that the attack occurred despite a full complement of officers deployed for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl. Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley expressed the committee’s devastation and outlined their ongoing collaboration with local, state, and federal authorities.
Former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial acknowledged the complexities surrounding the postponement decision on ABC News. While expressing confidence in law enforcement’s ability to secure the game, he highlighted the significant financial implications for visitors from Georgia and Notre Dame, who had already incurred travel and accommodation expenses. The postponement, he suggested, required a careful consideration of the impact on these individuals.