ARLINGTON, Texas — In a poignant start to the Cotton Bowl press conference held on Thursday, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed his heartfelt condolences and prayers for individuals impacted by the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area and a tragic terrorist incident that occurred in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
The Texas Longhorns have traveled to North Texas to compete against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals scheduled for Friday night.
“Reflecting on the recent heartbreaking events occurring in New Orleans and the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles… I want to express that both myself and coach (Ryan) Day, along with our teams, are keeping everyone affected in our thoughts and prayers,” Sarkisian stated. “The situation unfolding in Los Angeles is truly incomprehensible.”
The Ohio State Buckeyes secured a victory over Oregon in the CFP quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, just before the ignition of the numerous wildfires that are currently ravaging the region.
Both Sarkisian and Day provided introductory remarks before the commencement of the Q&A session on Thursday. Day commenced his address by supporting Sarkisian’s sentiments.
“Having been in that area just last week, it has allowed our coaches and players a moment to reflect and extend their thoughts and prayers to those facing these trying times, particularly in New Orleans,” Day remarked.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinal match held at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans had to be delayed by a day due to the terrorist incident that occurred near the Superdome, where Notre Dame triumphed over Georgia.
Sarkisian, a native of Torrance, California, spent his formative years in the Los Angeles region. His coaching career includes nine seasons at Southern California, where he held roles as both a head coach and an assistant.
“Having ties to Los Angeles, many of my friends and family are directly affected by this situation,” Sarkisian noted. “I hope everyone can keep those suffering from these incidents in their thoughts and prayers, alongside those impacted in New Orleans by the tragic events that unfolded.”
