New Orleans: The NCAA Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Thursday took place under heightened security, with a moment of silence and chants of “USA”, one day after a truck attack claimed the lives of at least 14 people just under a mile from the stadium. The attack, which took place on New Year’s Day, prompted a delay in the game, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame faced off against the Georgia Bulldogs in a quarter-final matchup of the college football playoffs.
As the teams took to the field at the Superdome, a Notre Dame player carried an American flag in a symbol of unity and remembrance. Fans of the Georgia Bulldogs, despite their team’s 23-10 loss to Notre Dame, held up a sign reading “Dawgs love and support NOLA” in a show of solidarity with New Orleans.
Upon entering the stadium, fans encountered an increased police presence and heightened security protocols. Chants of “USA, USA” resonated throughout the 83,000-seat venue following the national anthem as the crowd demonstrated their resilience in the face of the tragedy.
Jerrold Sneed, the father of Notre Dame linebacker Jaylen Sneed, expressed how the game offered a brief respite from the pain, saying, “I’m looking forward to it just so we can at least smile a little bit today.”
Following the game, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard shared his condolences for the victims of the attack. “It has been a very hard week and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected. We’re praying for them,” Leonard said. “For all these Notre Dame fans to show up anyway, it means the world to us. We felt them all game, I promise you. Every third down, we felt them.”
President Joe Biden, in a statement prior to the game, offered prayers for those killed and injured in the attack and thanked the first responders for their efforts. He also expressed gratitude that the game was able to proceed, saying, “the spirit of New Orleans can never be kept down.”
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The FBI has identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Texas Army veteran who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. According to authorities, Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd of New Year’s Day revelers, injuring scores and killing at least 14. Two police officers were also injured when the suspect fired at them before being shot dead at the scene. The FBI has confirmed that Jabbar acted alone.
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New Orleans, which will also host the NFL’s Super Bowl on February 9, has shown resilience in the wake of this tragedy, with the spirit of the city and its people unwavering in the face of adversity.
