The College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal game at the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed after a tragic incident in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Early Wednesday morning, a truck plowed into a New Year’s crowd, killing 10 people. The driver of the vehicle was fatally shot in a confrontation with police.
The attack occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Bourbon Street near Canal Street, just blocks from where the teams were staying.
Rescheduled Game and Security Updates
Originally scheduled for Wednesday night at the 70,000-seat Superdome, the game has been postponed by 24 hours and will now take place Thursday night.
Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley stated:
“For now, that’s the plan.”
Following the attack, the Superdome went into lockdown as security sweeps were conducted. By Wednesday afternoon, credentialed employees were allowed to return to offices.
New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno confirmed heightened security measures around the Superdome:
“Expect extra security. There are more police officers coming in, and the security perimeter has been expanded.”
Safety of Teams Ensured
The University of Georgia Athletic Association issued a statement ensuring that all team members and official travel party personnel were accounted for. Both teams had arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and were staying at nearby hotels.
NFL Prepares for Super Bowl
The Superdome, which is set to host the Super Bowl on February 9, will see increased security measures akin to those implemented after the September 11 attacks in 2001. These include extensive street closures, enhanced surveillance, and the deployment of police and snipers.
The NFL issued a statement expressing sadness over the attack and emphasized the collaborative efforts with security agencies to ensure safety during the Super Bowl.
