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The Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed until Thursday following a deadly truck attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter early Wednesday morning, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley announced Wednesday afternoon.
“We’ve been talking to ESPN, and the College Football Playoff, and the Southeastern Conference, and the University of Georgia, and Notre Dame, all the teams,” Hundley said in a press conference. “And everyone agrees that it’s in everyone’s best interest and public safety that we postpone the game for 24 hours.”
The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. The postponement comes as law enforcement continues to consolidate the crime scene and preserve France’s role.
The shelter in place was working for the Bulldogs at their team hotel, ESPN reported. At least one Georgia student was seriously injured in the attack and was receiving treatment, the school said.
Early Wednesday morning, a driver “who was intent on killing and causing havoc” drove his car into crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 15 people and injuring at least 35. accidents, police said. Law enforcement identified the suspect as Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, a US citizen from Texas. A flag of the terrorist group known as ISIS was found in the suspect’s car, police said.
“It was intentional behavior,” said Anne Kirkpatrick, New Orleans Police chief. “This man was trying to get over as many people as he could.”
Explosive devices were found at the scene, according to multiple reports, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a “terrorist attack.”
Authorities say the male suspect got out of his truck with an assault rifle and opened fire on police before he was killed in the shooting. At least two officers were shot and wounded, officials said.
“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the horrific events this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are in ongoing discussions with local, state and local authorities. and federal and we will discuss other details as they become available,” Hundley said in a statement earlier in the day.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said on ESPN, “When we heard the depth of the tragedy and what happened, we had to come together as a team and we had to talk about what happened.
“What I told the team, in the most difficult time the culture of any program or community is exposed. I have great faith that this community will come together in New Orleans and will support all the victims and families concerned today.”
To prevent further delay, the CFP quarter between No. 2 seed Bulldogs (11-2) and No. 7 Fighting Irish (12-1) is now scheduled to start at 4 pm ET on Thursday.
Freeman said Wednesday about the delay, “We’ve had to focus on getting ready for this game. We’ve got to use the time we had today and tomorrow morning to continue to prepare for this opportunity. . ..
“That’s where our thoughts should be. We will cry and pray for our country. We have support systems around anyone who needs someone to talk to but we also have to to prepare for this great opportunity that we have in the Sugar Bowl.”
–Field Status Media
