Josh Jacobs stirred up quite a discussion this week after mentioning during a podcast interview on the Green Light with Chris Long that the Packers and Eagles were advised not to wear green during their Week 1 game in Brazil due to local gang associations.
However, this claim has since been clarified.
Jacobs indicated that the warning was linked to gang colors in the region they would be visiting. “They said that the part of Brazil we’re going to, you can’t even wear green at,” Jacobs recounted, suggesting it was related to “gangs and stuff.”
The NFL has since addressed these comments, reassuring that there is no such restriction for the game. An NFL spokesman stated to the Philadelphia Inquirer that fans and players can freely wear green, and that the stadium will be adorned in the teams’ colors when the game takes place in September.
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Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com previously noted that the actual concern might stem from a local soccer rivalry rather than criminal activity. “The game will occur at Corinthians Arena, home to the Corinthians soccer team whose major rivals, Palmeiras, sport green. The Corinthians have a known informal ban on green because of this rivalry, including an incident where a player was fined for wearing green cleats,” Kerr explained. Despite this, major international events at Corinthians Arena, like the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, have occurred without issue regarding the color green.
The advice to avoid green might have been intended to prevent any confusion or association with Palmeiras fans in public settings, but it won’t affect the game attire. Jacobs, however, expressed some reservations about his safety and other travel details. “They was like, ‘Man, look, just pack black and white colors. When you come out here, we don’t want no mishaps,'” he shared. Further concerns were raised about restrictions on movement and security measures. “They probably gonna have, like, armored vehicles following us. I said, ‘Bro, Why are we out here? Why are we here?'” Jacobs added.
The NFL has also debunked these claims, stating that the guidelines about not leaving the hotel and needing armored vehicles were unfounded.
Despite these initial miscommunications, the Packers and Eagles are scheduled to kick off their season on Friday, September 6, in Brazil, with Jacobs hoping to make the most of the week despite his concerns: “I was looking forward to it… they like, ‘Yeah, nah, it’s not gonna be like that.'”
