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On Aug. 31 Tulane football gave Northwestern a dose of Karma. Tulane (1-0) faced Northwestern (0-1) in a game that coincided with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a devastating event that profoundly impacted New Orleans. Tulane’s head coach, Jon Sumrall, requested that his team wear white jerseys, mirroring the uniforms worn by the 2005 team in their first game after the hurricane.

This gesture was intended to honor the resilience and spirit of that team and the city. However, Northwestern denied this request, a decision that Sumrall said he perceived as disrespectful to New Orleans.

Disrespecting New Orleans

Because Northwestern denied the request, Tulane was forced to wear its green uniforms.

“When you disrespect the city of New Orleans, you’re going to run into it,” Sumrall said in his postgame comments. “I’m not trying to be a jerk but don’t disrespect the City of New Orleans.”

The game itself became a stage for this perceived slight to play out. Tulane dominated Northwestern, securing a decisive 23-3 victory. Sumrall’s postgame comments, where he emphasized the importance of not disrespecting New Orleans, underscore this sentiment. The victory was not just a win on the field but a statement of the city’s enduring strength and unity.

Green Wave Catalyst

The “karma” take here is that Northwestern’s decision, whether intentional or not, backfired spectacularly. It transformed a moment of potential unity and respect into a catalyst for Tulane’s fierce performance.

Echoing the resilience that the white jerseys were meant to symbolize, this outcome serves as a reminder that actions—especially those perceived as dismissive or disrespectful—can have unintended consequences. Reinforcing the idea that what goes around, comes around.

Tulane’s triumph on this significant anniversary thus becomes a powerful narrative of karma in action. Where respect for history and community is repaid with success and vindication. The Green Wave are back in action on Sept. 6 at South Alabama (1-0), while Northwestern hosts Western Illinois (0-1).

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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