Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed her opinion that the Sugar Bowl game should be postponed to Friday in light of a deadly attack in New Orleans. She stated that delaying the game by at least one day would be wise, as the area was still an active crime scene following the tragedy that claimed the lives of 15 victims on Bourbon Street. Despite Murrill’s recommendation, the game was rescheduled to Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the initial start time. The decision to move forward with the game prompted mixed responses from fans and pundits on social media.
The deadly attack in New Orleans occurred when a man drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in a shootout with law enforcement before the suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was pronounced dead at the scene. An ISIS flag was found in the truck, leading the FBI to investigate potential links to terrorist organizations. Weapons and a possible improvised explosive device (IED) were discovered in the suspect’s vehicle, along with additional IEDs in the French Quarter. The FBI does not believe that Din Jabbar acted alone in the attack, and they are working to determine his affiliations.
The game was originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday night, but due to the attack, it was postponed to Thursday afternoon. The decision to move forward with the game just one day after the incident sparked debate among commentators. Some, like John Ziegler, criticized the postponement, expressing concerns about the societal response to such tragedies. Others, like Dave Portnoy, defended the decision, arguing that postponing the game by one day was a necessary precaution to ensure the safety and security of the event.
Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley released a statement expressing condolences to the victims of the attack and thanking those involved in accommodating the new start time for the game. He emphasized the importance of public safety and working together with officials to ensure a safe environment for the event. The College Football Playoff also released a statement expressing their sadness over the tragedy and gratitude towards the leadership and authorities involved in ensuring a safe environment for everyone attending the Sugar Bowl.
Despite the tragic events leading up to the Sugar Bowl, the game continued as scheduled on Thursday afternoon. Georgia and Notre Dame, the two teams competing in the bowl game, had implemented safety measures for their teams in response to the attack. The FBI’s investigation into the incident is ongoing as they work to determine the motive and any potential accomplices involved in the attack. The decision to proceed with the game, albeit with a one-day postponement, reflected a balance between acknowledging the tragedy and prioritizing the safety of all those involved in the event.
