(Reuters) – College football’s annual Sugar Bowl in New Orleans kicked off on Thursday with heightened security, a moment of silence and chants of “USA”, a day after a truck attack killed at least 14 people less than a mile from the stadium.
A Notre Dame player carried an American flag as his team took the field to face Georgia at the Superdome in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, which was postponed a day because of Wednesday’s attack.
Georgia Bulldogs fans held a sign reading “Dawgs love and support NOLA,” an acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana.
Fans entering the stadium were met with an increased police presence and increased security checks, and after the pre-match national anthem, chants of “USA, USA” could be heard in the 83,000-capacity stadium.
“I’m looking forward to it just so we can at least smile a little bit today,” Jerrold Sneed, father of Notre Dame linebacker Jaylen Sneed, said before the game.
Before the start, US President Joe Biden prayed for those killed and injured in the attack and thanked first responders. Biden said he was glad the game was back and wasn’t surprised because “the spirit of New Orleans can never be contained.”
The FBI identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texan and military veteran who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
The FBI said he drove his truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers and was killed at the scene after firing at police.
Dozens were injured in the attack, including two police officers who were shot by the suspect.
Authorities say he acted alone.
New Orleans will also host the NFL’s Super Bowl on February 9.
