Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay has raised significant concerns about the upcoming NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Eagles, which is set to be played in Brazil. The game, scheduled for Friday, marks the first time an NFL game will be held in the South American country, and Slay’s apprehensions have brought attention to the logistical and safety aspects of the international matchup.
On his podcast, Slay expressed his reluctance about traveling to Brazil, citing the high crime rate as a major concern. He revealed that the team has been instructed to stay within the confines of their hotel and limit their activities outside of game-related events. “I do not want to go to Brazil. They already told us not to leave the hotel, they told us we can’t do too much because the crime rate is crazy,” Slay said. He further advised his family against traveling to the game, noting that they would only be leaving the hotel for the stadium and meals.
The Eagles’ travel plans for the game reflect the tight schedule and logistical challenges of the international trip. According to the team’s website, the Eagles will depart on Wednesday, endure a roughly 10-hour flight, and arrive in Brazil on Wednesday night. They will then have a team walkthrough at the stadium on Thursday before playing the game on Friday night. After the game, the team will fly back to Philadelphia immediately. Despite the international travel, the time difference between Philadelphia and Brazil is only one hour, which helps minimize the impact on the players’ schedules.
There are additional concerns surrounding the game, including restrictions on team reporters’ ability to provide live updates from Brazil. This has raised questions about the overall media coverage and fan engagement for the event. As the game approaches, more details and storylines about the experience in Brazil are expected to emerge, adding to the anticipation and complexity of this unique NFL matchup.
The Packers and the Eagles will both be looking to make the most of this historic opportunity, despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the international game.