New Orleans Saints Pledge $1 Million to Relief Efforts After Terror Attack in French Quarter
The New Orleans Saints have committed to donating $1 million to relief efforts for the victims of the recent terror attack in the French Quarter. The attack, which occurred on New Year’s Day, killed 14 people and left dozens injured, after a man drove a white pickup truck, emblazoned with an ISIS flag, along Bourbon Street at high speeds.
The French Quarter is just a short distance from Caesars Superdome, where the Saints play their home games, and the team’s owner, Gayle Benson, released a statement expressing the team’s devastation and resolve in the face of hatred.
“Our community has experienced an unimaginable tragedy and our collective hearts are broken as we mourn for the victims and survivors on the New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans,” she said. “As a league, our cities and teams compete at the highest levels of competition and share spirited rivalries. Our staffs and players work tirelessly towards achieving our goals and we share in victories and defeats. However, through football we are also united and we stand arm-in-arm against all forms of hatred. We will vanquish terror and fear with an unwavering resolve and purpose rooted in love, compassion and kindness.”
The team has partnered with the Greater New Orleans Foundation and United Way to ensure the funds reach those who need them most. The attack also led to the postponement of the Sugar Bowl, which was played at the Saints’ stadium, and the heightened security measures did not deter fans, who packed the stadium for the event. Despite the challenges, the game featured a moment of silence for the victims and chants of “USA!” rang out from the crowd.
