President Donald Trump flat out questioned the NFL’s decision to play a game in Paris this Sunday, saying the league “could have probably postponed” the entire thing. This isn’t just some casual comment either, as the first regular-season NFL game ever staged in France is set to kick off at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris, amid mounting security concerns.
France Is “Really In Trouble,” Says Trump, As Security Alerts Mount
Trump pulled no punches on Friday, telling reporters, “I think maybe it’s looking like tomorrow is going to be a bad day in France, so you worry about it. I would have said the NFL could have probably postponed that match … because France is really in trouble.” That’s a pretty stark warning from a former president, especially when you consider what else is going down. The U.S. State Department even jumped in late Thursday, issuing a security alert. They warned about “numerous groups” planning protests for Saturday, October 24, and told Americans attending the game on Sunday, October 25, to “exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings.” They even said last-minute changes are possible, and protests can pop up anywhere.
It’s not just talk, either. France is bracing for more demonstrations on Saturday, all fueled by the high cost of living. Museums are closing up shop, and the government is seriously beefing up its security presence to prevent a repeat of last week’s violent unrest, which saw cars ablaze in the streets on October 17. The vibe over there sounds pretty tense, to be honest.
Goodell Says “Not Unusual,” But Other Games Are Already Moving
So, what’s the NFL saying about all this? Commissioner Roger Goodell tried to calm things earlier this week, saying they’ve been consulting with both U.S. and French authorities. His take? Street protests “are not unusual in France.” The league, for its part, didn’t immediately respond to Trump’s comments, which, you know, is one way to handle it.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose team is playing in this game against the New Orleans Saints, tried to play it cool on Friday. He said “the NFL is alert to what’s going on” and “This game means a lot to the NFL. If it was unsafe, then I’m sure we wouldn’t be here.” Sounds reassuring, right? But here’s the kicker: a scheduled weekend event for Steelers fans was *canceled* on Thursday due to security concerns. Plus, the French soccer league already moved Paris Saint-Germain’s game against Lyon from Sunday to Monday evening, specifically at the request of Paris police. That game was supposed to be at the Parc des Princes. So, other major sports events are reacting to the situation, even if the NFL seems determined to stick to its plan.
All eyes will be on Paris this Sunday to see how this NFL game, and the city itself, handles the day.
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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