We’re now just a few short days away from a new NFL season and the Philadelphia Eagles will be kicking their campaign off at a neutral site in Saw Paulo, Brazil. Usually, international NFL games are met with an abundance of excitement, but this one, not so much.
For the last few weeks, it feels as though it’s become harder and harder to find players or coaches speaking positively about the upcoming trip. Some, like Devonta Smith remained silent on Brazil, while others such as Darius Slay have gone on the record questioning the NFL’s reasoning for sending players to a venue where ‘the crime rate is high’.
“I’m looking forward to it, can’t wait, but man — I do not want to go to Brazil,” Slay said on his Big Play Slay podcast (via RFI).
None of this is a glistening look for the NFL. If the players and teams can’t ‘sell’ the game, then why would fans?
Eagles vs Packers: Are there safety concerns ahead of opening road trip?
The real question is whether or not these ‘safety concerns’ are worth genuine concern, or simply being overblown while the NFL proceeds with caution.
Brazil is an incredibly passionate country when it comes to sporting events. It’s hosted an Olympic Games, a World Cup, various Tennis Opens in Rio, and of course, a wealth of Soccer tournaments. Sport is a crucial part of culture in the country of Brazil, with some of the greatest Soccer players of all time hailing from the nation. However, it’s not without its flaws.
The Brazilian Real (currency) is worth around 0.18 USD. That’s an important factor when examining some of the comments and precautions made by teams and NFL officials. It’s not an incredibly wealthy country, and as a result, there is a fair amount of crime to be hesitant of.
During the 2014 World Cup, at least 580 people were killed in Rio (according to amnesty.org.uk). Brazil’s murder rate is over 4x higher than that of the United States, and crime after the Olympic Games also spiked. But just like evaluating quarterbacks, cherry-picking numbers isn’t always the best idea.
Misplaced ideologies
When using Numbeo and comparing the City of São Paulo to that of Philadelphia, it’s very clear that the two are really not that far apart in terms of crime rates:
Let’s not forget that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who was quick to comment on the wildfires in Brazil and the safety concerns attached, had his car stolen after a playoff win against the Giants…in Philadelphia.
It’s not just Philly, either. The area of Wembley is a renowned hotspot for crime, yet the NFL continues to host international games there on a yearly basis. When comparing the City of London to São Paulo, again, you see very little reason to be ‘more concerned’ than usual:
The main difference between London/Philly and São Paulo? Wealth. Brazil is not a wealthy country in comparison to England or America, and as a result, it’s unfortunately associated with more crimes and less giltz and glamor. It’s very easy for the NFL to market a game in London. The phone booths, the London buses, Big Ben, getting players to try British Foods, you can do a lot to make it seem exciting. There is no affinity to Brazil, and without that icing on the cake, you’re left with a bland-looking bun.
I can see why the NFL would’ve told players to keep their phones on them and stay in a Hotel. These players are worth MILLIONS of dollars, they dress like it, and act like it. Of course they would stick out like a sore thumb and attract potential thieves…but if you ever go to a foreign country, your first instinct should ALWAYS be to keep your belongings safe, regardless of where it is.
Whether it’s London, Berlin, Madrid, or literally anywhere else, tourists are easily spotted as I’m sure many of you can attest to from your own experiences, let alone incredibly wealthy ones. But to frame borderline xenophobic views off of what should be a ‘traveling rulebook’ is barbaric.
The fans care
With a strong soccer rivalry between São Paulo and the Corinthians, the color green is obviously associated with a bitter rival. But that does not mean that wearing an Eagles jersey would land you in trouble. If you had a $50,000 chain on, it might be a different story.
In the same way that wearing a Cowboys jersey walking around Center City is going to stir up opposing fans, wearing the color white would not. It’s just drawing unnecessary parallels to crime because there’s no sugar-coating. There are no ‘cool and trendy’ ways to make the game seem like a fun experience. It’s been reduced to a chore. One that players HAVE to endure, and that in itself is incredibly sad.
Brazil has a strong Eagles following. This is the first, and potentially only chance, many of these fans will get to see their team play. They bleed green like you do, they cry like you do, they scream and cheer like you do. Just because they’re from a country bearing less wealth, it does not give anyone the right to automatically assume criminality when rates at home are just as high. Imagine getting to see your favorite band live in your City, but they refuse to play because of those same concerns…you’d be angry, betrayed, and disappointed.
So while there are obviously safety concerns with this upcoming road trip, just remember that those same concerns lie at your front door. They lie in London. They lie in Berlin. There’s no need to tarnish what a great country is trying to do through hosting multiple global sporting events over the last 20 years, simply due to a lack of understanding and/or context.
I hope that this weekend goes off without a hitch. That Brazilian fans show just how much they care about the sport, and how welcome those from both Philadelphia and Green Bay are. I hope the players walk away feeling like they were wrong to assume so quickly and understand that basic safety precautions should be taken wherever they travel. Just because they’re implemented, it doesn’t mean they are in danger.
Here’s to a happy and healthy week one.
Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports
