NFL Debunks Rumors About Unsafe Conditions in Brazil For Packers vs Eagles

The NFL has been steadily busy attempting to expand its market into international areas unfamiliar with football. A game has been played every year in London, England since 2007, and Germany was recently added to the list of overseas destinations.

Now, the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers will be the first two teams to play in São Paulo, Brazil.

Read more: Packers Star Reveals Scary Information Regarding Upcoming Game in Brazil

Excitement is very high for the NFL to expand its footprint in Brazil, but Packers running back Josh Jacobs recently set the internet on fire with rumors that teams were informed the color green could not be worn in the area they were staying for safety reasons.

Jacobs stated, “I guess its something to do with the gangs and stuff,” on the “Green Light Podcast with Chris Long.”

Though Jacobs’ claims could be taken as a bit of a joke — he also stated that teams were going to have “armored cars” following them for safety — the NFL was quick to debunk what was said on the podcast.

NFL insider Ari Meirov shared what an NFL spokesperson stated on the matter. The post reads, “Just to debunk this: An NFL spokesperson has denied that the #Eagles and #Packers won’t be allowed to wear green at their Week 1 game in Brazil because the color is affiliated with gangs. The NFL also denied that the teams would be restricted to their hotels with armored vehicles taking them to the stadium.”

According to the post, an NFL spokesperson stated teams were not told they couldn’t wear green, be restricted to their hotels, or have armored vehicles taking them to the stadium. Though Jacobs’ comment about the vehicles could have been seen as hyperbole, the league did not take too kindly to it being said.

This is the first time the NFL is visiting Brazil, which is hosting a professional football game for the first time. The last thing that needs to happen is the country getting angry at the league and not welcoming NFL teams back.

More international viewership raises the chance that, in time, an international team or division could be added to the NFL in the future. Hopefully the trip to Brazil for the Packers and Eagles goes down without any issues, and the players return with glowing reviews.

American football has been making waves in England for quite some time. While they might be the first on the list for an international expansion team, Brazil could be considered too.