Security measures tightened for Eagles game against Packers in Brazil after players raised safety concerns

According to ESPN, security measures were tightened ahead of the first-ever NFL game in Brazil after players from the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers raised concerns about safety in São Paulo.

The two NFC opponents will face each other in Week 1 at the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo. It will be the first NFL game in South America.

As the NFL expands its global influence, players like Eagles star receiver AJ Brown have found that many of the rules have been passed down to those who join them.

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Arena Corinthians before the first leg of the Round of 16 match between Corinthians and Boca Juniors during the 2022 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores on June 28, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

“We had a meeting with a whole bunch of ‘no bids,'” Brown told reporters via ESPN. “So I’m just trying to go out there, win a football game and get back home.”

His Eagles teammate, top cornerback Darius Slay Jr., echoed Brown’s comments on his podcast “Big Play Slay,” adding that players are being told to stay where they are and not hit the road.

EAGLES STAR SAYS HE TOLD HIS FAMILY NOT TO COME TO BRAZIL FOR SAFETY REASONS: ‘THE CRIME RATE IS INSANE’

“Week 1, I’m excited, I can’t wait. But man, I don’t want to go to Brazil. You want to know why? I’m here to tell you,” Slay explained. “They already told us we can’t leave the hotel. They told us we can’t do much because the crime rate is crazy.”

Slay even questioned why the NFL would even want to play a game in Brazil given the security concerns.

“I thought to myself, ‘NFL, why would you want to send us somewhere where the crime rate is so high and we’re leaving the country?’ You know, the first thing people think of is that there could potentially be terrorist attacks there,” he said. “I told my family not to come there because I’m not going to be found anywhere. I’m going to be at the hotel relaxing, minding my business and playing my game after a long 9½-hour flight.”

Gerrit Meier, senior vice president of NFL International, speaks at a press conference on February 10 to announce the first NFL game in Sao Paulo. (Bruno Escolastico Sousa Silva/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Slay later apologized for his comments and said he was sorry if he offended anyone on social media.

But Slay’s concerns are justified, because he is not the only one to express them. And the government of the state of São Paulo has reacted accordingly.

“To ensure the safety of the players, the military police will reinforce their personnel upon the arrival of the delegations at Guarulhos airport and will accompany the teams to their hotels, training grounds and the stadium,” the statement to ESPN said.

This is not the first time the NFL has played games in locations where there have been security concerns. For example, there was a stop in Mexico, where games have been played since 2005.

A general view of the stadium before a match between Corinthians and Palmeiras during the 2021 Brasileirao Series A at Arena Corinthians on September 25, 2021 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

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The Eagles and Packers travel to Brazil on Wednesday to prepare for the start of the new 2024 NFL season, in which both teams are expected to be playoff contenders.

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