The Superdome in New Orleans, set to host a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between Georgia and Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, was placed on lockdown for security sweeps after a devastating incident occurred nearby. A truck plowed into a New Year's crowd about a mile away, resulting in the loss of 10 lives and leaving over 30 individuals injured.
As a precautionary measure, individuals with offices in the Superdome, including officials associated with the Sugar Bowl and Sun Belt Conference, were instructed not to report to work until further notice. Despite the lockdown, there was no immediate indication that the Sugar Bowl, scheduled to commence at 7:45 p.m., would be delayed.
Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley expressed deep sorrow over the tragic events and stated ongoing discussions with authorities at local, state, and federal levels were being held to assess the situation. While there was no confirmation of a delay to the game, officials were awaiting clearance from authorities to proceed with the event at the 70,000-seat stadium.
The incident that led to the casualties occurred when a driver intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd of revelers in New Orleans' renowned French Quarter during the early hours of New Year's Day. The driver was fatally shot by law enforcement following the attack at around 3:15 a.m. along Bourbon Street near Canal Street, as confirmed by the FBI.
Both the Georgia and Notre Dame football teams had arrived in New Orleans earlier in the week and were staying at downtown hotels in close proximity to the site of the tragic event. The Superdome, located approximately 20 blocks away, is also slated to host the upcoming Super Bowl on February 9.
New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno emphasized the heightened security measures in place for the Sugar Bowl, extending the security perimeter around the Superdome to create a larger secure zone. Additional law enforcement officers were deployed to ensure the safety of attendees and participants.
Despite the somber circumstances, the Sugar Bowl was set to proceed as planned, with authorities working diligently to ensure the safety and security of all involved.
