NEW ORLEANS Notwithstanding the tragedy that had occurred a few blocks away, fervent Georgia and Notre Dame supporters flocked to the Superdome on Thursday to see the Fighting Irish’s 23-10 Sugar Bowl victory.
Due to the absence of quarterback Carson Beck, who sustained an injury during last month’s Southeastern Conference championship game, No. 2 Georgia was unable to overcome the formidable defense of No. 7 Notre Dame on the strange Thursday afternoon platform.
“I want to make sure again, (to) send our condolences on behalf of our university and our football program to everyone that was affected by the tragedy,” Marcus Freeman, the coach of Notre Dame, said following the game.
Freeman gave his men credit for maintaining their concentration over the previous day.
“With the normal emotions that each person experiences following the tragedy, they nevertheless needed to be able to prepare for this game. Therefore, I’m pleased with their preparation,” he remarked.
Following an attack on pedestrians in the French Quarter, the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game started around twenty hours later than scheduled.
The Sugar Bowlhad been set for 7:45 p.m. local time Wednesday before a U.S. Army veteran from Texas rammed hisrented pickup into revelerson Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m., killing more than a dozen New Year’s Eve revelers.
“I just want everybody to know that the Notre Dame family, every single person in our locker room, is praying for those families that are out there,” Riley Leonard, the quarterback for Notre Dame, stated following the game.
He additionally thanked the authorities for “responding the way they did and creating a safe environment for us to play today so quickly after the events.”
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With local law enforcement resources focused on the crime scene, less than a mile from Superdome, the Sugar Bowl was postponed due to the attack on Wednesday. Prior to kickoff on Thursday, fans observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims.
The unusual start time, a little after 3 p.m. on a workday, might have led to late-arriving crowds as some parts of the Superdome’s upper levels were not immediately filled for the national quarterfinal game. However, the unconventional venue didn’t seem to lessen the supporters’ excitement.
There are many police officers present. New Orleans knows exactly what they re doing when it comes to a big party, said Georgia fan BJ Barnett, 42, who drove to the game from his home in Athens. F— a terrorist, they ain t making us miss no football game.”
The extra security didn’t seem to bother the fans.
I feel the incident was isolated but super unfortunate. Just how long it took me to park shows me there was a concentrated effort at mitigating any risks that may take place, said Kelvin Jones, 40, who drove 90 minutes from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Wednesday and Thursday to attend the game. I feel safe.
Texas Longhorns fan Breonna Rodriguez, 25, was apprehensive about being at the game until she saw the heavy law enforcement presence, which eased her fears.
At first, I wasn t sure if I wanted to come, said Rodriguez, already looking forward to a possible title match against Notre Dame. I was nervous, but now I feel better. I m just here to see who we re going to play.
The block on Bourbon Street, which local and federal investigators have been combing for evidence, reopened before kickoff.
“This city will be back, will be open to family and friends and loved ones who want some time to relax from the pressures of life,” Gov. Jeff Landry told reporters Thursday.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said visitors will see plenty of her officers on duty in the neighborhood.
“People are going to see an incredibly large presence of police, and we are confident. But we want our community to feel confident and know they are confident” that the French Quarter will be safe, she added.
The deadly onslaught raised questions about future high-profile events in New Orleans, most notably theSuper Bowl,which is set for Feb. 9at the Superdome.
New Orleans has long been one of the NFL’s go-to cities for its championship game, which has been played in the city 10 times three at Tulane University and seven at the Superdome. No venue has played host to more Super Bowls than the Superdome.
The Bourbon Street attackhasnot shakenthe NFL’s belief in New Orleans as a Super Bowl host city.
The league said in statement Wednesday that it remains “confident attendees will have a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl experience” in 5 weeks.
Jesse Kirsch and Deon J. Hampton reported from New Orleans and David K. Li from New York City.
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