NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell just dropped a bombshell, saying his comfort level for the league’s first regular-season game in France this weekend is “very high.” This isn’t just any international matchup, folks. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are set to play in Paris amidst serious street violence and riots that rocked France just last weekend, with masked youths clashing with police, looting shops, and vandalizing public buildings.
Rolling the Dice in Paris?
Goodell’s confidence comes even as authorities are bracing for more demonstrations this weekend. When asked directly about security plans for the teams and the stadium area with protests expected, he didn’t blink. “Very high is my comfort level,” Goodell stated, doubling down on the league’s preparations. He was quick to point out that they’ve been in touch with all the appropriate authorities and that “protests are not unusual in France.” He confirmed they’ll be aware of it and make sure the right arrangements are in place. You gotta wonder, though, how “usual” are these kinds of clashes?
High-Level Talks and High Stakes
It’s not like Goodell’s just shrugging it off. He’s reportedly been talking to some big names, including United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with other officials in both France and America. Goodell emphasized they’re “involved at the highest levels in France and on a global basis,” making sure they have all available information and that “the appropriate steps are being made” to safeguard personnel and the event. He plans to attend the game himself, stating, “We’re guests in the country. We’re going to be good guests in the country and do our thing and I’m confident they are going to do theirs. We’re looking forward to it.” That’s a lot riding on a “very high” comfort level, especially when player safety and fan experience are on the line.
Learning from Down Under
This isn’t the NFL’s only international venture of late. Goodell also talked about the league’s first regular-season game in Australia last month, which he called a “tremendous success on every level.” That game saw San Francisco beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in front of over 100,000 screaming fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Goodell noted some key takeaways from that one: San Francisco arrived much earlier and dominated, while the Rams arrived late, hoping for a quick adjustment. “It was a longer trip. We learned something about that. The teams took different approaches. I think we learned a little something about that too,” he said. Getting 100,000 people at 10:30 AM on a Friday morning in Australia for an NFL game? That definitely shows some serious passion for sports, as Goodell put it. The lessons learned there about travel and market engagement are surely on the table for future international games, including this weekend’s high-stakes event in Paris.
So, all eyes are on Paris this weekend for the Steelers and Saints showdown. Goodell is confident, but with the backdrop of recent civil unrest and expected demonstrations, it’s going to be a tense atmosphere. Will his “very high” comfort level translate to a smooth game, or are we about to see the NFL navigate some truly uncharted territory? This isn’t just about football; it’s about the league’s global reach and whether they can pull off a major event safely when the host country is facing internal strife. Get ready, because this one’s gonna be a watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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