NFL Game in Paris: Steelers vs. Saints Amid Civil Unrest

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Steelers-Saints Game in Paris Raises Safety Concerns Amid Civil Unrest

The Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to play the New Orleans Saints in Paris in about six days, but the civil unrest in the city led to serious concerns about whether the game should proceed.

The argument was that the NFL should avoid putting either team in unnecessary danger, even if canceling or relocating the game would result in lost revenue. The unrest could make an American football game a target, creating a potentially dangerous and avoidable situation for players and teams.

The broadcast promotion for the Sunday game at 9:30 on ESPN and NFL Network also drew criticism because it acknowledged that the city was experiencing unrest while confirming that the game was still scheduled to be played.

International games had already prompted concerns about slippery and poor field conditions before the season, but the situation in Paris was described as far more serious. The discussion included comparisons to Gotham in The Dark Knight Rises and jokes about Bane emerging from the tunnel, though the speakers emphasized that they did not want anything dangerous to happen.

Compared with other difficult situations in football, including the Chargers being 0 and 6, the Dolphins and Texas, the circumstances surrounding the Steelers and Saints were presented as the worst.