Saints and Pelicans honor Superdome staffer, 25, who died in New Orleans’ terror attack

Saints and Pelicans honor Superdome staffer, 25, who died in New Orleans’ terror attack

Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audiovisual technician at the Superdome, has been identified as one of the 14 victims of the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

‘We remain heartbroken by the tragic events that claimed innocent lives in our city yesterday morning,’ read a joint statement from the NFL’s Saints and NBA’s Pelicans, both of which are owned by local billionaire Gayle Benson. ‘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.’

Tenedorio and 13 others were killed Wednesday in the French Quarter when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen and 13-year Army veteran, rammed his vehicle into a crowd on Bourbon Street during New Year’s festivities. Jabbar, who allegedly had an ISIS flag attached to his truck, was killed in a firefight with police following the attack at about 3:15am, according to the FBI.

Just hours earlier, Tenedorio was lighting fireworks with family members and ‘having a good time, laughing,’ his cousin, Zach Colgan, told NoLa.com.

Matthew Tenedorio, an audiovisual technician at the Superdome, was among the victims

Matthew Tenedorio, an audiovisual technician at the Superdome, was among the victims

Tenedorio will be remembered for his infectious laugh, according to one of his many cousins

Tenedorio will be remembered for his infectious laugh, according to one of his many cousins 

Born in New York, Tenedorio grew up in Slidell, Louisiana on the opposite side Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans with two brothers and an array of cousins, many of whom will remember his infectious laugh.

‘We’d walk into my grandma’s house,’ Colgan said, ‘and he’d just started giggling.’

But it was his father’s work at the New Orleans Superdome that led Tenedorio to seek work in pro sports.

‘I think he just wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps,’ Colgan said.

As NoLa.com reported, Tenedorio was fond of people and animals, and was thought of as a gentle person who was kind to others.

‘The dude didn’t have a mean bone in his body,’ Colgan said.

Colgan also described the difficult experience of telling their grandparents that his cousin had been killed. The family then spent ‘hours’ together crying.

‘It was unreal,’ said Colgan. ‘It’s our Matthew…that’s our Matthew.’

Hubert Gauthreaux's family had been frantically sharing posts to social media that he was missing in the aftermath of the attack, before revealing he was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at a hospital

Hubert Gauthreaux’s family had been frantically sharing posts to social media that he was missing in the aftermath of the attack, before revealing he was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at a hospital

Tiger Bech, 28, of Lafayette, Louisiana, died in the New Orleans terror attack Wednesday He had previously played football at Princeton University

Tiger Bech, 28, of Lafayette, Louisiana, died in the New Orleans terror attack Wednesday. He had previously played football at Princeton University (right) 

Ni'kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, also lost her life in the attack

Ni’kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, also lost her life in the attack 

Reggie Hunter, 37 Nicole Perez, 27

Reggie Hunter, 37, (left). Nicole Perez, 27, (right)

Many have offered condolences, including Mississippi Governour Tate Reeves. Meanwhile,

Tenedorio’s extended family has started a GoFundMe to pay for funeral expenses.

A former college football star, high school senior, father-of-two and young mother are some of the 14 victims who tragically died when Jabbar deliberately drove into pedestrians with an ISIS flag attached to his car.

Tiger Bech, 28, Ni’kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, Reggie Hunter, 37, Nicole Perez, 27, Matthew Tenedorio, Kareem Badawi, and Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, lost their lives in the senseless attack in the early hours of News Year’s Day in the French Quarter.

Originally scheduled for Tenedorio’s place of work on Wednesday, the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame at the Superdome was moved to Thursday in the wake of the tragedy.

Related Posts

Deebo Samuel reveals what it really feels like to lose a Super Bowl 

Deebo Samuel reveals what it really feels like to lose a Super Bowl 

San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel admitted that losing the Super Bowl left him slumping into depression.  The wide receiver, 28, has reached the pinnacle of the…

Colts QB Anthony Richardson reveals back spasms forced him to ‘crawl’ around house… but hopes to play Sunday

Colts QB Anthony Richardson reveals back spasms forced him to ‘crawl’ around house… but hopes to play Sunday

The potentially chronic back issues facing Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson left the former first-round pick crawling around his house, he told reporters this week. ‘Last week…

Donald Trump’s shock pick for NFL MVP revealed

Donald Trump’s shock pick for NFL MVP revealed

Donald Trump believes Jayden Daniels should be considered for NFL MVP amid his stunning rookie season with the Washington Commanders, it has been revealed. Daniels has hit…

Azeez Al-Shaair reveals he was ‘in a dark’ place after suspension for viscous hit on Trevor Lawrence

Azeez Al-Shaair reveals he was ‘in a dark’ place after suspension for viscous hit on Trevor Lawrence

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has shed light on his mindset in the aftermath of the three-game suspension he was handed by the NFL. Al-Shaair sparked major controversy…

New Orleans NFL star Cam Jordan makes huge donation to victims of terror attack

New Orleans NFL star Cam Jordan makes huge donation to victims of terror attack

New Orleans Saints star Cam Jordan helped his community in the wake of the New Year’s Eve terror attack with a $25k donation for victims and their…

NFL fans’ shock reaction after Patrick Mahomes fails to make Pro Bowl for first time ever as Chiefs starter

NFL fans’ shock reaction after Patrick Mahomes fails to make Pro Bowl for first time ever as Chiefs starter

Patrick Mahomes has been left out of the Pro Bowl for the very first time as starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs – but fans aren’t…