I know what it’s like to lose a loved one through senseless violence.
My sister was killed in a tragic shooting in 2019 in Baton Rouge. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.
Hearing my mom and stepfather on the other end of the phone struggling to speak, the way time seemed to just stop. I was driving home from work on a Friday afternoon when I got the call. As soon as I hung up, I fell apart.
She wasn’t my sister by blood, but I don’t refer to her as my stepsister because she wasn’t. Whitney became my sister.
In the days ahead, I looked for anything that would clear my mind and maybe make me smile again, even for a few hours. I covered a Ragin Cajuns football game the following day and it certainly helped.
I sincerely hope that the Sugar Bowl provided that distraction for many people throughout Louisiana who woke up on New Year’s Day to see 14 people were killed by a pickup truck driver on Bourbon Street and dozens of others injured, including two New Orleans Police officers.
14 families lost a loved one. 14 groups of friends had to post memories and say goodbye. Families will always remember the turn of the year for the pain that this night brought, including one right here in Acadiana.
Tiger Bech, a graduate of St. Thomas More in Lafayette, was one of the victims on Bourbon Street that night. His brother, former LSU and TCU wide receiver Jack Bech, posted on X following the news.
“Love you always brother ! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us ❤️”
Notre Dame and Georgia were already in New Orleans for the 91st Allstate Sugar Bowl, set to be played in the Caesars Superdome on New Years’ Night at 7:45. Emotions hit both teams as mentioned in the media leading up to and after the game. A Georgia student was injured in the attack as the truck drove through crowds of people before being stopped by a lift.
After ensuring the safety of every player, coach, and staff, Georgia and Notre Dame then met with CFP officials and local authorities to determine the best course of action amid what was happening in the city.
Ultimately, it was in the best interest of the city, both teams, and out of respect for the victims and their families, to delay the game until Thursday afternoon. With heavy hearts throughout the building and a ton of emotion, the Sugar Bowl was played.
And it was beautiful.
As the day began, there was a noticeable uptick in security. Police and sheriff units from throughout the state came into New Orleans to assist, police dogs made full laps around each car that entered the premises, and there was a heavy police presence at each entrance.
Once inside, the vibes were high yet somber. Many people were excited for a great college football game while also possessing a heavy heart and emotions over what had transpired 36 hours prior.
Throughout the stadium, national guardsman stood ready for whatever came their way, keeping the over 56,000 patrons safe and carefree for just a few hours.
When tragedy strikes, people look for something to distract them, even for a short time, from the news cycles and press conferences and the constant fear that rushes through you. The thought of what those families are going through or whether or not you could’ve been there, etc.
The Sugar Bowl offered exactly that as for a few hours in a broken city, it felt whole. As the National Anthem was sang by New Orleans’ own Samyra, the pride for the city and the country was strong. The sense of unity was enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eyes.
“We’re certainly glad to be seeing some football played today between Georgia and Notre Dame,” ESPN’s Laura Rutledge said as she opened SEC Nation on Thursday. “But it has been an incredibly tough last two days here in New Orleans. We’ll focus on football here today, but we won’t ignore what’s happened on Bourbon Street.”
“We have heavy hearts. We’ll celebrate the game and the opportunity earned by these teams and the young men who have worked so hard for this, but we will be thinking and praying for all of those affected by this tragedy.”
Playing the game, even delayed for the first time in it’s history, showed that evil wouldn’t prevail. It showcased the resiliency of a city that has faced unspeakable tragedy too many times before but continues to come back. It showed a sense of togetherness, like stated above. No matter what, there was a greater cause inside the Superdome on Thursday besides who was going to Miami to play Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
“Yesterday morning, we woke up and heard there was some type of incident,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said following the game. “I don’t think we all knew the details, but we were getting ready to play a game. And by the time we had a break and we had lunch, we found out that the game was postponed. Then we found out more details. And I think once you found out more details about the tragedy, the emotions took over each individual differently. But they handled it spectacularly, and they prepared.”
“We spent some time together. And I think that’s what you do in tough moments. You want to spend time with family, and that’s what we are. But they found a way to get prepared for this opportunity and refocus.”
The Sugar Bowl felt normal once the game got underway, but nobody inside the Superdome could forget what happened hours before.
“Before the game, I mentioned to Greg (McElroy) that the atmosphere seemed the same as at other Sugar Bowls I have called,” said ESPN play by play commentator Sean McDonough. “The moment of silence and national anthem were emotional. But otherwise, it didn’t sound or feel somber to me. My mind certainly kept drifting to what happened a mile away. My heart is still aching for the victims, their loved ones, and for our country.”
“Our world is broken. There is so much evil. But I am glad the game went on once the authorities deemed it was safe. The terrorist did damage that is beyond description and measure. But he would have done even more damage if life in New Orleans continued to be disrupted because of his sick actions.”
The Sugar Bowl didn’t erase the horrors of the terror attack on Bourbon Street. Nor did the game bring those people back to their devastated loved ones.
What it did do is give a brief few hours of much needed distraction, like it’s done for so many others.
It also sent a message that New Orleans and the state of Louisiana is about as resilient as they come. Its been proven time and time again.
Matt Miguez is the host of the Miguez Mindset on ESPN Southwest Louisiana’s YouTube channel. He is also a digital contributor for ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.
