Wednesday's Sugar Bowl game between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed following the attack in New Orleans that left at least 10 people dead.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a statement saying the decision was made in the best interest of public safety.
“The decision to postpone tonight's Sugar Bowl was made with public safety as our top priority. A life was tragically lost last night. We appreciate your continued dedication to ensuring the safety of our communities,” Sankey said.
The University of Notre Dame and President Robert A. Dowd issued a statement praying for the safety of those affected.
University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead also released a statement.
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Emergency crews respond to the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle plows into a crowd at Canal and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
After an ISIS flag was found in the truck, the FBI is currently working to determine “the subject's potential ties or ties to the terrorist organization.” There were weapons and possible IEDs in the suspect's vehicle, and other possible IEDs were located in the French Quarter.
Some college football fans and experts on social media were divided over the decision to postpone the game in the wake of the tragedy. While some fans agreed with the decision to postpone the game, others expressed anger.
FOX Sports panelist Rachel Nichols expressed support for the postponement in a post about X.
“I'm glad the Sugar Bowl has been postponed. It's the right decision. Sending love to everyone in New Orleans,” Nichols wrote.
But one X user suggested, in response to Mr Nichols' objections, that a delay would “let the terrorists win”.
“We respectfully disagree. A postponement means those behind this ruthless attack win. We must not let them win. No matter how extreme they are, we shouldn’t be ladled on by them,” the user wrote.
Conservative commentator John Ziegler also voiced his opposition to the postponement in a post about X.
“This is wrong. Postponing the Sugar Bowl someday will not bring back those who lost their lives or make the game safer. In fact, it will give the terrorists exactly what they wanted. “We have become so soft as a society that it has affected society in almost every way,” Ziegler wrote.
“The 'never-too-safe' people seem to think they can postpone an event the size of the Sugar Bowl without paying for lodging. Tens of thousands of people will be left without a hotel room tomorrow night. Traveled to New Orleans. Booked a flight for Friday.
Notre Dame asks fans to 'join in prayer' after apparent terrorist attack before Sugar Bowl
Another X user responded to Zieglier, suggesting that postponing the Sugar Bowl would give law enforcement more room to go after other potential targets in the area.
“Why this isn't wrong: It gives us more time to catch the bad guys who might be looking for another soft target. We also want to honor the somber day and the lives lost and express our sadness and shock.” Makes it feel like 24 hours a day,” the user wrote. asked Ziegler, to which he replied, “Yes and no.”
Meanwhile, WKRG sports journalist Simone Ely slammed those unhappy about the game's postponement, citing reports of other possible explosives in the city.
“While people are upset that the Sugar Bowl has been postponed and 'empowering' everyone, you might want to go check out reports of bombs being found and detonated throughout the city of New Orleans.” Football can wait. Nothing is worth losing any more lives for. No discussion,” Eli wrote to X.
The postponement follows reports that the Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, was initially placed on lockdown for security reasons and that officials with offices inside the stadium were told not to come to the stadium until further notice. That's what it means.
Alecia Duncan of the New Orleans FBI said at a press conference Wednesday that the agency does not believe the main suspect in the attack, Shamsud Din Jabbar, was “solely responsible” for the act. said. Police warned there could be further danger in the city.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy also slammed those who criticized the game's postponement.
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“Okay, it's postponed. And anyone who says the terrorists can win by moving for 24 hours is an idiot. [one] day. Secure the area. Do what you have to do. You can't win by delaying the game for 24 hours,” Portnoy wrote in X.
The FBI said a man driving a Ford pickup truck plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street around 3:15 p.m. local time. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, was pronounced dead at the scene after an exchange of gunfire with local police.
At least 10 people were killed and another 35 injured as a result of the apparent terrorist attack.
The Superdome is located just one mile from the scene of Wednesday morning's deadly attack.
Georgia and Notre Dame arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and were reportedly staying in a hotel just a few blocks from the crime scene. According to reports, both schools have implemented “shelter-in-place” measures for their teams.
Fox News Digital's Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
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