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Saints, Pelicans, others in the New Orleans sports world speak out after Bourbon Street terror attack

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Saints, Pelicans, others in the New Orleans sports world speak out after Bourbon Street terror attack

The New Orleans sports world spoke out and paid tribute on social media on Wednesday after a deadly terrorist attack rocked the city early on New Year’s Day.

At least 10 people were killed and dozens of others were injured after officials said a man rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of people and later opened fire on Bourbon Street in New Orleans around 3 a.m. on Wednesday. The suspect, who the FBI identified as a 42-year-old Texas man, died in a shootout with police.

The truck, officials said, had an Islamic State flag, weapons and a “potential” improvised explosive device in it. Other potential bombs were also found elsewhere in the French Quarter. An investigation is ongoing, and officials don’t believe the man acted alone.

The Sugar Bowl — which was set to host the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup between Notre Dame and Georgia — was postponed as a result. Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech was among those killed in the attack, too.

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi addressed it with reporters on Wednesday.

“Today is obviously a very somber day in our community … It goes without saying this was senseless,” Rizzi said. “It’s hard to understand, and it’s really hard to comprehend why these things keep happening in our country … It hits home with me personally, because I have five children between the ages of 17 and 26. I can tell you early this morning, the first thing I thought of was my own son was out last night for New Year’s Eve in this community. My daughter was home, just last week, and was out in the French Quarter. This hits home.”

Other current and former Saints players spoke out on social media.

Former Saints coach Sean Payton, who led the team for 15 seasons and won a Super Bowl there before joining the Denver Broncos, talked about it on Wednesday, too.

“My heart is broken for the loss of a lot of innocent lives … It’s awful,” Payton said.

“It’s gut-wrenching news, especially this time of the year. There’s no great time of the year, but when it happens when so many people are down there for the bowl game and down there for the New Year’s festivities, I hate it.”

Zion Williamson, the New Orleans Pelicans and vice president Swin Cash also released statements.

“New Orleans is a city built on resilience, and this heartbreaking event reminds us of the importance of coming together to support one another, to honor those affected and to work toward healing as a community,” the team said, in part. “In times of tragedy, the New Orleans community has always shown extraordinary courage and compassion, and we are certain that this time will be no different.”

The Pelicans, after a game against the Miami Heat in South Florida on Wednesday, will return home to host the Washington Wizards on Friday.

LSU, which sits about an hour outside of New Orleans, joined other universities in the state in sharing posts on social media.

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