NFL officials stated they would have cancelled their first regular-season game in Paris, scheduled for Sunday, if safety concerns arose, said Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Friday. His comments follow unrest in the French capital last weekend, which provoked President Emmanuel Macron to impose stricter protest restrictions ahead of further demonstrations expected on Saturday.
The Steelers are set to face the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, approximately ten kilometres from central Paris. Despite the recent protests, Rodgers expressed confidence that the game will proceed as planned. “I definitely think that the NFL is alert to what’s going on,” he said at a press conference. “If it was unsafe, then I’m sure we wouldn’t be here.”
In light of the protests, the Steelers cancelled a planned fan event in the Bastille area. The US State Department issued a security alert on Thursday, advising citizens to avoid demonstrations and stay vigilant while in Paris for the game.
Many American fans remain undeterred by the unrest. Fred Zelt, a 67-year-old Steelers supporter, noted that he had witnessed peaceful marches. “Every place we’ve been seemed calm and normal,” he said, although he observed shops closing up their windows.
Fabian Bauer, a 28-year-old Saints fan, travelled from Germany with his parents and mentioned their concerns about safety. “In the end, I informed myself, and most of the fans said it’s likely to be safe, especially on Sunday,” he said.
The NFL announced it would close its pop-up store in Paris on Saturday due to the unrest. Storm Austen, causing disruption in the region, has added to the challenges leading up to the game. The Steelers arrived in France on Friday morning and were initially scheduled to practice at the Stade de France, but were forced to cancel that session due to weather conditions. The Saints, who arrived earlier this week, had also adjusted their practice plans due to the adverse weather.
