The Allstate Sugar Bowl was postponed to Thursday afternoon after a terror attack in New Orleans, where a pickup truck driven by Shamsud-Din Jabbar allegedly plowed into a crowd of people in the French Quarter, killing at least 15 and injuring dozens others. The attack occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day, just a couple of miles away from the venue where the game was due to be played.
Despite the delay and uncertainty, the Caesars Superdome was packed for the game, which saw Notre Dame defeat Georgia 23-10 to advance in the College Football Playoff. The game proceeded with heightened security measures, with fans rallying around the Notre Dame team and university community.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, who was named the Offensive Player of the Game, thanked fans for attending the game, acknowledging the difficult week it had been and the impact on the families affected by the attack. “It means the world to us. We felt them all game, I promise you,” he said.
Before the game, a moment of silence was observed for the victims, and chants of “USA” echoed through the crowd after the national anthem. Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas, was killed in a shootout with police after driving a rented Ford pickup truck with weapons and potential improvised explosive devices (IEDs) into the crowd. Authorities also found other potential IEDs in the French Quarter.
The attack came as a shock to the city, which had planned to ring in the New Year with festivities and celebrations. The incident highlights the city’s resilience and ability to come together in the face of adversity, with fans and players alike showing their support for those affected by the attack.