The New Orleans Saints stated on Saturday that the NFL and the team have committed $1 million to help victims of the incident on Bourbon Street that tragically killed 14 people on New Year’s Day.
In an emotional statement, Saints owner Gayle Benson said, “This unimaginable tragedy has broken our collective hearts as we grieve for the victims and survivors of this terror attack.” She highlighted how football promotes unity amid intense competition and underlined the NFL’s dedication to standing unified against intolerance.
Benson and the Saints contributed $500,000 to the charity, which was matched by the NFL Foundation. To guarantee that the victims and their families receive assistance, the money will be disbursed via the United Way and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
“Our hearts go out to all affected by this tragedy,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, expressing the league’s support. During these trying times, the NFL supports the resilient people of New Orleans.
A man killed 14 people and injured scores more when he crashed a pickup truck into a throng in New Orleans’ French Quarter early on January 1. In a shootout with police, the driver, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, of Texas, was slain. Given the ISIS flag on the truck and the evidence connecting Jabbar’s motivations to the extremist organization, authorities declared the conduct to be terrorism.
The FBI said the incident was premeditated and left at least 35 people hurt, some gravely. In an effort to assist the bereaved families and community, President Joe Biden denounced the act as terrorism and declared his intention to travel to New Orleans with First Lady Jill Biden.
A brass band performed at a vigil on Bourbon Street on Saturday, turning it into a celebration of life. Cathy Tenedorio, who lost her 25-year-old son Matthew, was among those present. She called the flood of condolences and love “overwhelming.”
The identities of the victims, who came from all over the United States and beyond, have been made public by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office, demonstrating the variety of lives affected by the catastrophe.
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