The NFL is breaking new ground by hosting its first-ever game in Brazil. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles are set to clash in São Paulo, but there’s a surprising twist: players from both teams have been instructed not to wear the color green.
A recent tweet by NFL Rumors has sparked conversation regarding safety measures for the upcoming NFL season opener between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles Twitter. The tweet reads:
🚨BREAKING:
The #NFL is telling Green Bay #Packers & Philadelphia #Eagles players that they are NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR THE COLOR GREEN in Brazil for the opener, due the GANGS.
Teams will likely be forced to stay in the hotel all week and travel in armored vehicles, per former… pic.twitter.com/vfyuQUSrog
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 6, 2024
While the specifics of the tweet warrant further investigation, it highlights potential security concerns surrounding the game. Let’s delve deeper into this situation.
The Informal Ban
Contrary to rumors of a gang-related ban, the real reason lies with the Brazilian football club SC Corinthians. Their home stadium, Corinthians Arena, will host the historic matchup. The club has an “informal ban” on wearing green due to a fierce rivalry with the green-clad Brazilian club Palmeiras. This ban extends to visiting teams as well.
The NFL Color Clash
Corinthians takes their green rivalry seriously. In 2021, they fined one of their players for wearing green cleats during a match. While international teams have occasionally worn green numbers or jersey trim at the stadium, the ban remains intact. The NFL’s decision to advise Packers and Eagles players to avoid green aligns with this tradition.
Armored Vehicles and Precautions
Packers running back Josh Jacobs revealed that the league’s warnings have left players feeling uneasy. “They probably gonna have, like, armored vehicles following us,” Jacobs said. The concern stems from safety precautions related to the gang presence in certain areas of Brazil. The NFL wants to ensure player security during their stay.
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