Sugar Bowl Committee releases statement on New Orleans 'terrorist attack' ahead of Wednesday's game

The Sugar Bowl Committee has released a statement following a devastating mass casualty incident that killed 10 and injured as many as 30 on New Year’s Day, ahead of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game between Georgia and Notre Dame.

A vehicle drove into a crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has called it a “terrorist attack” in the wake of the incident. There’s been no decision to postpone the Sugar Bowl, but Jeff Hundley, the Chief Executive Officer of the contest, has released a statement on the matter.

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“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning,” Hundley’s statement read, via Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”

In light of the devastating event, Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said officers would work to ensure safety at the Sugar Bowl, indicating that the game would go on as scheduled, per ESPN.

Furthermore, ESPN added that the male driver was shot and killed by police when he got out of his truck, according to what law enforcement officials told ABC News on Wednesday. The man was also in possession of an assault rifle and had allegedly been firing a gun while he was driving through the crowd, the officials told ABC News.

“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick said, via ESPN. “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”

Moreover, President Biden has been briefed on the matter and has been in touch with Cantrell to offer support, according to the White House via ABC News.

All told, the heartless incident has left New Orleans and the world shaken to start New Year’s Day. Thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this senseless crime in Louisiana.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl will kickoff at 8:45 p.m. at the Caesars Superdome, with both the Georgia Bulldogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish vying to advance to the Semifinals. 

Moreover, Georgia defeated the Texas Longhorns to capture the SEC title, which led to them receiving a bye during the First Round of the CFP. As for the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame welcomed Indiana to South Bend, where they took care of business to advance to the Sugar Bowl, setting up a massive showdown between two of college football’s biggest brands.

The Caesars Superdome should be rocking, as Georgia and Notre Dame fans certainly made the trip to New Orleans for the showdown. Whichever team gets the victory will have a date with the Penn State Nittany Lions next on the docket, as they defeated the Boise State Broncos on New Year’s Eve to clinch their spot in the Semifinals already.