The Philadelphia Eagles are set to make NFL history this Friday as they face off against the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil, marking the league’s first-ever game in South America. While the game is a landmark moment for the NFL, not everyone on the Eagles’ roster is thrilled about the trip.
Eagles cornerback Darius Slay has been vocal about his concerns, expressing a strong preference to avoid the trip altogether. On his podcast, “Big Play Slay,” the veteran player shared his discomfort with traveling to Brazil, citing safety concerns as a primary reason for his reluctance.
“I do not want to go to Brazil,” Slay stated, echoing the worries of many. “They already told us not to leave the hotel. They told us we can’t do too much because the crime rate is crazy. I’m like, ‘NFL, why would you want to send us somewhere with a crime rate this high?'”
Slay’s unease is so significant that he has advised his family to stay home rather than join him on the trip. “I told my family, ‘Do not come down there because I’m not going to be nowhere to be found,'” he added, emphasizing his plan to remain in the hotel for the entirety of the stay.
Slay’s concerns aren’t isolated. Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown also expressed similar apprehensions during an interview on August 29. “We had a meeting [on Aug. 28], and there were a whole bunch of ‘Don’t Do’s,'” Brown said. “I’m just trying to go down there, win a football game, and come back home… But after hearing all this stuff, I’m probably going to be in my room.”
Despite the players’ concerns, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni remains focused on the task at hand. Addressing the situation on Sunday, Sirianni emphasized the team’s primary objective: “We’re going there to play and win a football game. That’s our goal. That’s our only goal as we go down there. You can control the things that you can control. Like, we’re going to Brazil to play. That’s what it is. We’re excited about that.”
The issue of player safety has been a topic of discussion since June when Packers running back Josh Jacobs initially voiced his concerns about the game in Brazil. Though Jacobs later apologized, the apprehension among players remains palpable.
For the Eagles, the trip to Brazil will be a whirlwind. The team is scheduled to land in São Paulo late Wednesday night and will depart immediately after the game on Friday, spending just over 48 hours in the country.
As the Eagles prepare for this historic matchup, the spotlight is not just on the game but also on the safety and well-being of the players, making this a game that will be remembered for more than just the football.
