The Sugar Bowl matchup between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed following a terrorist attack that left 10 people dead in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
New Orleans NBC affiliate network WDSU-TV reports the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup will be played at a later date as law enforcement investigates the attack, which left 10 dead and 35 people injured in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A Georgia fan was “critically injured” in the attack, the university’s president has confirmed.
The Sugar Bowl was due to be played at 8:45 p.m. ET at the Superdome the home of the New Orleans Saints on New Year’s Day. But in the wake of the atrocities, the game has been pushed back to Thursday. An official announcement of the delay, though, is yet to be made.
At around 3:15 a.m. CT, a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people in Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans’ tourist quarter. He then engaged in a firefight with law enforcement and was killed.
The FBI has identified 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. Citizen from Texas, as the attacker, with officers containing to investigate potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.
Jeff Hundley, CEO of the Sugar Bowl Committee said earlier on Wednesday it “is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning.”
He added: “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.”
Both schools shared their sadness in the aftermath of the attack, with University of Georgia President Jere. W. Morehead sending his support to the student who was injured.
“We have learned that a University of Georgia student was critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment,” he said. “I have spoken to the students family and shared my concern, support and well wishes on behalf of the entire UGA community.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the first responders who moved so quickly to help those affected by this senseless act of violence, as well as to the medical personnel who are caring for the injured.”
Notre Dame president, the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, added: “Our prayers are with the family members and loved ones of all those impacted by the terrible attack in New Orleans early this morning.”
“We also pray for all those injured and extend our deepest gratitude to the brave first responders who risked their lives to protect others.”
Leave a Reply