Saints saddened by loss of employee in New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street

Hearts are heavy this week in New Orleans following the attack that left 14 dead and at least 35 injured during the early hours of the new year Wednesday morning on Bourbon Street. One of those killed was Matthew Tenedorio, who worked gamedays at the Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center.

“We remain heartbroken by the tragic events that claimed innocent lives in our city yesterday morning,” the Saints said in a statement issued Thursday afternoon. “Among those lost was Matthew Tenedorio, a valued member of the ASM New Orleans video production team. Matthew was young, talented, and had a bright future, helping deliver quality content for both the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the Tenedorio family and everyone affected by this senseless act of terrorism. Together, as a city, state, and region, we will come back stronger from this tragedy.”

Wednesday was a somber day at Saints headquarters in nearby Metairie as the team reflected on the tragedy while preparing for the season-finale with the Bucs on Sunday in Tampa Bay (1 p.m. ET, FOX).

Meanwhile, officials re-opened Bourbon Street on Thursday ahead of the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame, postponed from New Year’s night to Thursday afternoon. That’s a great sign for the NFL with Super Bowl LIX just 38 days away at the Caesars Superdome.

Jay Cicero, president of the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, also issued a statement Wednesday.

“The New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee is in contact with local, state, and federal public safety partners and is actively monitoring the mass casualty incident that happened in the French Quarter early on New Year’s Day,” said Cicero. “We share our deepest condolences to all of the victims and their loved ones.

“Fan and event security is a priority for the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the NFL, the New Orleans Saints, the state of Louisiana, and the city of New Orleans. We have been working collaboratively with our public safety partners and the NFL for more than two years on comprehensive security plans for the 2025 Super Bowl. These discussions and plans will continue in the coming days and weeks ahead. Our focus right now is on our neighbors, friends, and visitors.”

In 2018, NFL owners originally selected New Orleans as the site of Super Bowl LVIII to conclude the 2023 season. Two years later, the league modified the Super Bowl rotation so the city would instead host at the end of the ’24 season to avoid conflicting with Mardi Gras.

The game will mark the 11^th Super Bowl in New Orleans, tying the record for an individual city. The Miami area also has hosted 11 Super Bowls.

For more information on the Saints, visit the New Orleans team page at ProFootballPost.com.