ESPN’s Laura Rutledge: Georgia football team has shelter-in-place following New Orleans attack

For an entire nation, waking up on New Year’s Day was met with devastating news.

Early Wednesday morning, a deadly tragedy, which the mayor of New Orleans called an act of “terrorism,” claimed the lives of 10 people and left several others injured.

In the sports world, the attack has created understandable uncertainty regarding the College Football Playoff quarterfinal Sugar Bowl, which was scheduled to be played at the Caesars Superdome on Wednesday night. Despite an initial report that the game would be played as scheduled a New Orleans TV station has since reported it will be postponed until Thursday, although that report has yet to be confirmed.

Prior to the start of the Texas-Arizona State quarterfinal in Atlanta, Georgia, ESPN’s Laura Rutledge shared with Rece Davis that the Georgia Bulldogs were currently sheltering in place at their team hotel in New Orleans. And even though seven or so hours separate Rutledge’s reporting and the scheduled kickoff, everyone involved remains in limbo, waiting for updates from local authorities and the FBI as the city grapples with this heinous act of terror.

ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reports that the Georgia football team has a shelter in place at its team hotel following the deadly in attack in New Orleans that happened overnight. pic.twitter.com/26QpbHUDQk

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 1, 2025

Rutledge’s report came shortly after the University of Georgia president issued a statement revealing that a student from the university was critically injured in the attack.

“As we’re trying to gather information, these teams — Georgia and Notre Dame — are trying to do the same,” said Rutledge. “I spoke with Steven Drummond, a spokesperson for Georgia’s athletic department, who confirmed that the team is sheltering in place at their hotel. They are locked in and will remain there while authorities work to ensure safety.”

Rutledge further explained that the College Football Playoff officials, Sugar Bowl organizers, the FBI and local law enforcement are actively meeting to determine the safest course of action.

“I can tell you there is an extreme police presence here,” Rutledge added. “They’ve added a lot more when it comes to police presence around New Orleans, doing everything they can to keep everyone safe.”

She also shared that the Superdome had been swept with explosive-detecting dogs two days prior to the attack. At that time, it was deemed secure and subsequently locked down. Security sweeps are currently underway again to ensure the safety of Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl.

And as the situation continues to evolve, the possibility of postponement looms large.

[Awful Announcing on X]

Update: The Sugar Bowl has officially been postponed for 24 hours.

Update: Rutledge detailed what both teams have been doing through the day.

“The teams, Notre Dame and Georgia, have been at their hotels throughout the morning. They’ll stay there for the remainder of the day. Essentially on lockdown. No one is leaving. People are not coming into those hotels.” – Laura Rutledge https://t.co/OUKxkG3Z0e pic.twitter.com/DvalyRpfpE

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 1, 2025

“The teams, Notre Dame and Georgia, have been at their hotels throughout the morning. They’ll stay there for the remainder of the day. Essentially on lockdown. No one is leaving. People are not coming into those hotels.”