NFL She reassured fans that Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans would be a “safe and fun” experience following the apparent terrorist attack in the historic city early Wednesday morning that left at least 10 dead and dozens injured.
The tragedy occurred in the early morning hours of New Year's Day when a driver plowed into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in what the FBI is actively investigating as a “terrorist act.”
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies work the scene on Bourbon Street after at least ten people were killed when someone 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 safety concerns across the city, prompting… College football officials to postpone the Sugar Bowl, which was scheduled to be held later that night at the Superdome less than a mile from the crime scene.
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It will also host the Superdome Super Bowl On February 9th.
The league issued a statement in the wake of Wednesday's tragedy to offer its condolences to the victims and their families and to reassure fans of its commitment to ensuring their safety for the big game, which is just one month away.
“We are deeply saddened by news of the devastating incident in New Orleans. Our hearts go out to the victims, the New Orleans community and all those affected,” the statement read.
“The NFL and the Local Host Committee have worked collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies over the past two years and have developed comprehensive security plans. These planning sessions will continue as they do with all major NFL events, and we are confident that attendees will do so.” Have a safe and fun 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 in wake of apparent terrorist attack on Bourbon Street
Following the attack, questions were raised to officials about pedestrian and tourist safety, specifically regarding the use of barriers.
Speaking 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 barrier replacement program in its infrastructure package with the hopes of completing it well before the game.
“The barriers were not ready because they are almost finished with the expectation of course being completed by the Super Bowl — before the Super Bowl.”
An exterior general aerial view of Caesars Superdome, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
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Officials admit that the previous poles that were installed were not working properly, prompting the need to urgently replace them.
“We realize we have a problem here, right? We're going to fix it,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said on Wednesday.
“This will be a top priority as we head into the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, and the solution we come up with will be permanent, and will be built into standard operating procedures of having major events and securing this quarter.”
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