Sugar Bowl kicks off 20 hours late with moment of silence after New Orleans terrorist attack

NEW ORLEANS — Enthusiastic Georgia and Notre Dame fans filed into the Superdome on Thursday afternoon, cheering on their beloved Bulldogs and Irish without any fear of the terrorism that had struck just blocks away.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame kicked off about 20 hours late, following a one-man attack on pedestrians in the French Quarter.

The Sugar Bowl had been set for 7:45 p.m. CST on Wednesday before a U.S. Army veteran from Texas rammed his rented pickup into revelers around 3:15 a.m. on Bourbon Street, killing more than a dozen New Year’s Eve revelers.

Wednesday’s attack prompted the Sugar Bowl’s postponement with local law enforcement resources devoted to the crime scene, less than a mile from the Sugar Bowl’s Superdome site. Fans observed a moment of silence for victims before kickoff on Thursday.

The odd start time, a little after 3 p.m. on a work day, might have led to late-arriving crowds as some portions of the Superdome’s upper levels were not immediately filled for this national quarterfinal game.

But the unusual setting didn’t appear to dampen the enthusiasm of fans in attendance.

“The police presence is extensive, New Orleans knows exactly what they’re doing when it comes to a big party,” said 42-year-old Georgia fan BJ Barnett Barnnett who drove to the game from his home in Athens.

“F— a terrorist, they ain’t making us miss no football game. Them dogs are gonna win, that’s what we do.”

Fans didn’t seem to mind the inconvenience of added security.

“I feel the incident was isolated but super unfortunate. Just how long it took me to park shows me there was a concentrated effort at migrating any risks that may take place,” said Kelvin Jones, 40, who drove 90 minutes from Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Wednesday and Thursday to attend the game. “I feel safe.”

The block on Bourbon Street, where local and federal investigators have been combing for evidence, reopened before kickoff.

“This city will be back, will be open to family and friends and loved ones who want some time to relax from the pressures of life,” Gov. Jeff Landry told reporters on Thursday.

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said visitors will see plenty of her officers on duty in the neighborhood.

“People are going to see an incredibly large presence of police and we are confident. But we want our community to feel confident and know they are confident” that the French Quarter will be safe, New Orleans’ top cop added.

Less than 24 hours ago, local and federal officials were warning about the suspect having a accomplices

“I know something may change again,” Landry said. “Here’s what I do know, though: Right now, this is one of the safest places on earth.”

The deadly onslaught raised questions about future high-profile events in New Orleans, most notably the Super Bowl, which is set for Feb. 9 at the Superdome.

New Orleans has long been one of the NFL’s go-to cities for its championship game, which has been played 10 times in the Big Easy — three at Tulane University and seven at the Superdome. No venue has played host to more Super Bowls than the Superdome.

The Bourbon Street attack hasn’t shaken the NFL’s belief in New Orleans as a Super Bowl host city.

The league, in statement on Wednesday, said it remains “confident attendees will have a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl experience” in 5 1/2 weeks.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Jesse Kirsch and Deon J. Hampton reported from New Orleans, and David K. Li New York City.