ESPN is facing significant backlash over its pregame coverage of the Sugar Bowl, which notably omitted a patriotic tribute honoring the victims of a recent terrorist attack on Bourbon Street. The College Football Playoff quarterfinal, featuring Notre Dame and Georgia, was played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Thursday, a day later than originally scheduled due to the tragic events.
The game had been postponed following a terrorist attack on Wednesday, where 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck down Bourbon Street, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more.
The attack, which occurred just a mile from the stadium, sent shockwaves through the community.
Before Notre Dame’s 23-10 victory over Georgia, a moment of silence was held in memory of the victims. The tribute was followed by a rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by chants of “USA! USA!” from the crowd. However, ESPN chose not to broadcast the moment of silence or the anthem, drawing widespread criticism from viewers.
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A source told Christian Arnold of The New York Post that the tribute was missed due to an “awkward” transition out of a commercial break. According to the source, ESPN had just concluded a segment of SportsCenter featuring an interview with Tim Tebow before cutting to a commercial.
While ESPN missed the tribute, its affiliated SEC Network did air both the moment of silence and the anthem. Additionally, ESPN’s Sugar Bowl coverage opened with a pre-recorded message from President Joe Biden, and play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough addressed the tragedy early in the broadcast.
Despite these gestures, critics remain unconvinced. Many viewers accused ESPN of deliberately skipping the patriotic tribute due to the sensitive nature of the attack, which some feel was downplayed by the network. Notably, ESPN referred to the event as a “truck attack” rather than explicitly labeling it as an act of terror by an ISIS-inspired individual.
This isn’t the first time ESPN has faced scrutiny for its handling of sensitive topics. The network’s perceived political leanings have long been a point of contention, and this latest incident has reignited those debates. Many critics argue that the omission of the tribute was intentional, with the “awkward commercial transition” explanation failing to resonate with a skeptical audience.
The omission has sparked heated discussions on social media, with some fans expressing disappointment over what they see as ESPN’s failure to honor the victims appropriately. For others, it has underscored broader frustrations with the network’s approach to sensitive and politically charged issues.
As the controversy continues to unfold, ESPN has yet to issue an official statement addressing the criticisms. For now, the incident remains a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about how media outlets navigate the intersection of sports, tragedy, and patriotism.
