The NFL has assured fans that Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans will be a “safe and enjoyable” experience after an apparent terrorist attack in the historic city early Wednesday left at least 10 dead and dozens more injured.
The tragedy occurred in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day when a driver plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in what the FBI is actively investigating as an “act of terrorism.”
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies work the scene on Bourbon Street after at least ten people were killed when a person allegedly drove into the crowd in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day on January 1, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Michael DeMocker/Getty Images)
The attack raised security concerns throughout the city, prompting college football officials postpone the Sugar Bowl, which was scheduled for that same night at the Superdome, less than a mile from the crime scene.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
The Superdome will also host the Super Bowl on February 9.
The league issued a statement in the wake of Wednesday’s tragedy to share its condolences with the victims and their families and to reassure fans of its commitment to ensuring their safety for the big game just over a month away.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the devastating incident in New Orleans. Our thoughts are with the victims, the New Orleans community and all those affected,” the statement read.
“The NFL and the local host committee have been working collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies for the past two years and have developed comprehensive security plans. These planning sessions will continue as they do for all major NFL events, and we are confident that attendees will have a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl experience.”
Super Bowl LIX merchandise seen at Mardi Gras World on October 15, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s)
OFFICIALS POSTPONE SUGAR BOWL THROUGH APPARENT TERRORIST ATTACK ON BOURBON STREET
Following the attack, questions were raised with officials about the safety of pedestrians and tourists, specifically as it relates to the use of bollards.
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell told reporters that hosting the Super Bowl allowed the city to work on a bollard replacement program in its infrastructure package in hopes of complete it well before the game.
“The bollards were not put in place because they are nearing completion and are expected to be completed, of course, by the Super Bowl, well before the Super Bowl.”
An aerial general view of the exterior of the Caesars Superdome, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
The authorities recognize that the previously installed bollards were not working properly, which created the urgency to replace them.
“We recognize we have a problem here, right? We’re going to fix it,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday.
“It’s going to be a top priority as we get to the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, and the solution we’re going to find is going to be permanent and built into the standard operating procedure of having major events and securing that quarter.”
