NFL debut in Brazil marred by concerns about security, streaming, social media ban and the color green

As the NFL prepares to host its first game in South America on Friday; concerns about player safety played a major role in the discussion.

The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Green Bay Packers on Friday at the Neo Quimica Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. It will be the NFL's first international game of the season and the first ever in South America.

The game, which will be streamed exclusively on Peacock, will be the league's first Friday game on opening weekend since 1970.

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And while the excitement surrounding the encounter continues to grow, numerous complaints have also been raised outside the venue.

GREEN WAY?

Green Bay Packers fans await the team's arrival at São Paulo International Airport prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Guarulhos, Greater São Paulo, Brazil, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Earlier this summer, Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs claimed that the two teams were banned from wearing the color green because of the “gangs” residing there – an obvious problem for fans of the Packers and the Eagles.

“In the part of Brazil we are traveling to, you are not even allowed to wear green. They said it must have something to do with the gangs and stuff,” Jacobs revealed on Chris Long's Podcast in June.

Although the color green in the Neo Quimica Arena is a problem, this is not due to any gang activity.

Brazilian soccer club Corinthians has reportedly asked the Eagles – the host team – not to wear the color at their stadium because of its ties to local rivals Palmeiras. A Corinthians representative told the Associated Press on Sunday that the move came after a request from the president, who claimed that green was only allowed for visiting teams.

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The Eagles will instead opt for black helmets, white jerseys and black pants, while the Packers will wear their traditional white-yellow-green jerseys.

How the fans appear is another story.

SECURITY

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

The biggest concern before Friday's game was the safety of the players and teams.

Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said on his podcast this week that he was not looking forward to the trip, adding that he specifically told his family not to travel to Brazil to see him play.

“Week 1, I've been looking forward to this. I can't wait. But, man, I don't want to go to Brazil,” he began. “And you want to know why? I'm here to tell you. They already told us we can't leave the hotel. They told us we can't do too much because the crime rate is crazy.”

He later apologized for the remarks, but he wasn't the only player to share his thoughts. Packers cornerback Eric Stokes said he was told he wasn't allowed to leave the hotel while in Brazil. Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown said they were given a list of “don'ts,” adding, “I'm just trying to go there, win a football game and then come home. That's the best way I can put it.”

When asked, DeVonta Smith simply said “No comment.”

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But the local government is stepping in to avoid trouble. The government of the state of São Paulo announced that it would deploy hundreds of police officers and escort team buses. Trained dogs would also be sent to the stadium to detect possible explosive devices.

As an additional security measure, helicopters and drones will also be used during the game.

X IS EXISOLATED

(Tuane Fernandes/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Your favorite NFL reporters will have to use a different social media platform to cover Friday's game after a Brazilian Supreme Court recently banned Elon Musk's X for his refusal to appoint a legal representative in Brazil amid a months-long dispute with the judiciary over freedom of expression and allegations of disinformation.

Reporters have moved away from the social media platform formerly known as Twitter and instead moved to other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram Threads.

Anyone who takes the risk of circumventing the ban using a VPN risks a fine of around $9,000 per day.

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Unfortunately, in the age of streaming, fans only have one way to watch Friday's game. It will stream exclusively on Peacock, meaning anyone outside of their respective markets will have to sign up without a subscription for plans starting at $7.99 per month.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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