Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard thanks fans for coming to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans after the terrorist attack
The show took place in New Orleans approximately 36 hours after a terrorist attack hit the city.
At least 15 people were killed in the early morning on New Year’s Day, and dozens were injured. Shamsud-Din Jabbar allegedly drove a white pickup truck into a crowd of people in the French Quarter.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl was scheduled to be played just a few miles away on Wednesday night, but was postponed to Thursday afternoon.
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Riley Leonard, #13, celebrates with fans in the stands after the win over the Georgia Bulldogs at the Caesars Superdome. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
Despite the delay, Caesars Superdome was packed, like Notre Dame won 23-10 over Georgia to advance in the College Football Playoff.
For a while at least, it was unclear when, and potentially even where, the game would be played. However, although with increased security measures, everything went as normal during Thursday’s game.
After being named the offensive player of the game, Notre Dame running back Riley Leonard thanked Fighting Irish fans for coming to the game during what must have been a confusing and scary time.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard, #13, passes during the first quarter at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-Imagn Images)
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“It’s been a very difficult week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that were affected a few days ago. We’re praying for them. But for all these Notre Dame fans to still show up, it means a lot to us. We felt them all at the game , I promise you,” Leonard told ESPN on stage.
Before the match, a minute of silence was held for the victims chants of “USA” rang out. through the crowd after the national anthem.
An ISIS flag was displayed on Jabbar’s truck during the attack. He was killed after a shootout with the police.
Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas, drove a rented Ford pickup truck with a gun and a potential improvised explosive device (IED) into a crowd of New Year’s revelers around 3:15 a.m. local time on Wednesday, killing at least 15 and injuring more than 30 others. Authorities said other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Riley Leonard, #13, celebrates with fans in the stands after the win over the Georgia Bulldogs at the Caesars Superdome. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
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Authorities say Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran who recently worked in a six-figure position, opened fire on law enforcement officers, who returned fire, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
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