ESPN is facing significant backlash after skipping the National Anthem and the moment of silence for the victims of the New Orleans terror attack while broadcasting the Sugar Bowl.
The Sugar Bowl in New Orleans was postponed for one day to show respect and ensure proper security after an American-born ISIS supporter drove a pickup truck through a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more. The Daily Mail reported that the decision was made “by the bowl’s committee in consultation with ESPN, the Southeastern Conference (which has a relationship with the game), and the two schools involved – the University of Notre Dame and the University of Georgia.”
On Thursday, before kickoff, there was a moment of silence for the victims of the terror attack, which came after the National Anthem. Despite broadcasting the Sugar Bowl, far-left ESPN decided to skip both of these moments.
Here was the #SugarBowl National Anthem that @Espn didn’t think you needed to hear after a terrorist attack in our city. pic.twitter.com/jqHrAnYAEu
— Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) January 3, 2025
“But neither of these moments – the anthem or the silence – were shown on ESPN as the network instead had a studio show breaking down the game,” the Daily Mail reported.
The decision prompted widespread backlash on social media, with many users specifically calling out ESPN’s parent company, Disney.
“Really, ESPN? You won’t show the National Anthem and moment of silence for the victims of the New Orleans jihadist terror attack??! There’s no excuse for that. Disney’s CEO needs to step up to the plate and demand a complete reorg of the entire network — or just SELL it… NOW,” one user wrote.
Really, ESPN? You won’t show the National Anthem and moment of silence for the victims of the New Orleans jihadist terror attack??! There’s no excuse for that.
Disney’s CEO needs to step up to the plate and demand a complete reorg of the entire network — or just SELL it… NOW.
— Trish Regan (@trish_regan) January 2, 2025
“I guess ESPN is too good (or WOKE) to show The Star Bangled Banner being sung or the moment of silence for the New Orleans NYE victims,” another user wrote.
I guess ESPN is too good (or WOKE) to show The Star Bangled Banner being sung or the moment of silence for the New Orleans NYE victims.
— Unreasonable Reason (@Unreasonblreasn) January 3, 2025
“Shocker. Disney-owed ESPN doesn’t represent most Americans, especially football fans,” women’s rights activist Riley Gaines wrote.
Shocker. Disney-owed ESPN doesn't represent most Americans, especially football fans. https://t.co/xNqbCx871q
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) January 3, 2025
Meanwhile, other users pointed out that there was one ridiculous moment of the Sugar Bowl that ESPN did not skip: a short video from Allstate CEO Tom Wilson where he blamed the terror attack on the American people not accepting “people’s imperfections and differences” and called on Americans to be “stronger together by overcoming an addiction to divisiveness and negativity.”
TONE DEAF: Instead of airing the national anthem at the Sugar Bowl ESPN plays a video of the Allstate CEO’s apology to Islamic extremists in our midst. pic.twitter.com/C2Dt5JUrk1
— @amuse (@amuse) January 3, 2025
