Alabama Sen. and former college football coach Tommy Tuberville spoke out Friday about the Sugar Bowl being held on Thursday, a day after the massive terrorist attack in New Orleans that killed at least 14 innocent people. released a statement expressing their dissatisfaction.
Tuberville, who coached in three Sugar Bowls, including two as Auburn's head coach, said ESPN would not broadcast the national anthem before the game, instead subscribing to a controversial incident by Allstate CEO Tom Wilson. He criticized Trump for airing a video message in which he called on Americans to “overcome their addictions.” Toward division. ”
“It has been a true honor for me to coach in three Sugar Bowls during my coaching career. Unfortunately, ESPN (owned by Disney) refused to sing the national anthem to the rioters last night and instead played a video of Allstate's CEO talking about “divisiveness.” However, he could not condemn the terrorists who committed the brutal murder. [14+] People,” Tuberville said.
“This was a chance for us all to come together. But instead of honoring the innocent lives lost, woke businesses capitulated to terrorists.”
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Tommy Tuberville, then Auburn University head football coach, coaches at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. (Todd Van Emst)
Tuberville then cited President-elect Trump's recent election victory as proof that Americans have put an end to “woke ideology.”
“November 5th is a mandate from the American people. Wake ideology is gone. Join America First or leave,” Tuberville said.
Notre Dame defeated Georgia 23-10, but much of the discussion during the game centered on Wilson's controversial video statement. Official corporate sponsors Allstate and Wilson faced criticism across social media for the statement, and the video has since been removed from Allstate's official page.
Superdome welcomes Sugar Bowl fans after terrorist attack in New Orleans
General view during the national anthem before the 2024 Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game between the Texas Longhorns and Washington Huskies at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lu-USA TODAY Sports)
Allstate released a statement to Fox News Digital regarding this statement.
“Let me be clear: Allstate CEO Tom Wilson unequivocally condemns this heinous act of terrorism and violence in all its forms. 's loved ones, and the community of New Orleans. The reference to Overcoming Divide and Negativity is a broader effort to foster trust and positivity in communities across the country,” the statement reads.
The suspected attacker was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar. The FBI is working to determine Jabbar's “potential ties or ties to terrorist organizations” after an ISIS flag was found on his truck.
Jabbar's brother told the New York Times He and his Army veteran brother were raised as Christians in Beaumont, Texas, and the now-deceased attacker converted to Islam as an adult, he said.
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After terrorist suspect Shamsuddin Jabbar drove his car into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year's Day, family and friends scrambled to identify the growing number of victims.
“His actions do not represent Islam,” his brother said. “This is not a religion, it's a type of radicalization.”
Former FBI agents Scott Duffy and Chris Swecker told Fox News Digital They say Wednesday's attack could embolden ISIS, other terrorist organizations or radicalized individuals.
“This is a time when ISIS is under extreme stress and its presence in Syria and elsewhere is threatened. It would make sense to double down on the message of energizing the organization' places,” Swecker said.
The attack in New Orleans occurred nearly two weeks after the suspect was attacked. terrorist attack It was the same day that an explosion occurred at a German Christmas market outside Trump Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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