The NFL game between the Steelers and the Saints in Paris is still going down this Sunday as planned, but it’s happening under some seriously beefed-up security measures. The league isn’t messing around after major civil unrest just hit the French capital.
Paris Is In Turmoil Just Before the NFL’s Big Day
Rioting absolutely exploded across France on Saturday, and it wasn’t some small thing. We’re talking about the country’s worst civil unrest in years, with demonstrators protesting rising living costs and a decline in public services. This wasn’t just a peaceful protest; there was violence and looting tearing through major cities as rioters clashed hard with police. Imagine that kind of chaos happening right where you’re about to play a huge international game. It’s wild to think about.
The NFL’s Stance: Game On, But With All Eyes On Safety
Even with all that going on, the NFL never considered moving the game from Stade de France outside of Paris in Saint-Denis. This is a massive deal, too, because it’s the NFL’s first-ever game in France. NFL executive Peter O’Reilly spoke up on Tuesday, confirming the league is coordinating closely with the U.S. State Department, plus Parisian and national authorities overseas. He made it crystal clear what matters most: “There’s nothing more important from our standpoint than the teams’ security, the fans’ security , everybody involved with this game.” O’Reilly also said they’re being “very vigilant in everything we do, in all of our planning on an hour-by-hour basis, working closely with the two teams.” The league feels confident that going ahead won’t impact “broader resources needed” for security.
So, come Sunday, the Steelers and Saints are set to kick off in a city that just went through some serious upheaval. All eyes will be on Stade de France, not just for the game, but for how the league handles the security around this unprecedented event.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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