On April 10, the NFL announced the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles will play their “first-ever, regular season game” in São Paulo, Brazil. The game is set to take place at Corinthians Arena on Sept. 6.
Following the announcement, Packers running back Josh Jacobs appeared on a podcast and said that they “can’t even wear green” in that part of Brazil because of “something to do with the gangs.” Jacobs added they’re also “probably going to have armored vehicles.”
Several viral social media posts added to the speculation, wondering what the two teams, which both have green prominently featured in their uniforms, could wear to their game.
THE QUESTION
Are the Eagles and Packers banned from wearing green at their Brazil game due to gang activity?
THE SOURCES
- National Football League
- Igor Ribeiro, a media representative from Corinthians Arena
- The U.S. Department of State
THE ANSWER
No, the Eagles and Packers are not banned from wearing green at their Brazil game due to gang activity.
WHAT WE FOUND
The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers can wear green at their upcoming season opener game in São Paulo, Brazil, the National Football League confirmed to VERIFY.
“There has been inaccurate information circulating about wearing the color green in São Paulo. Fans can wear green NFL jerseys and other apparel in the stadium and in the city,” the NFL said.
The claims stem from “an old joke in Brazil that got blown out of proportion,” Igor Ribeiro, a media representative from Corinthians Arena, where the two teams will be playing, told VERIFY.
“There is no color ban” at the arena or any club facilities, Ribeiro said.
Josh Jacobs eventually issued an apology to the people of Brazil on his Instagram story, stating he was “misinformed." Matt Schneidman, a Green Bay Packers beat writer for The Athletic, reshared the message on his account. On June 10, Jacobs did another interview stating some of the information they were told was “false.”
The claims about the Eagles and Packers being unable to wear green are related to Sao Paulo's rival football clubs.
In Sao Paulo, the Corinthians and Palmeiras are massive rivals. Palmeiras wears the color green, so typically Corinthians fans “avoid the color, especially on match days,” Ribeiro says.
In 2021, a Corinthians player was reportedly fined for wearing green cleats during a game.
The U.S. Department of State does have a travel advisory recommending that people visiting Brazil “exercise increased caution” due to crime and gang activity.
“As is the case for any game in an international city, the NFL has comprehensive plans in place and works closely with the teams to ensure their safety while traveling abroad,” the NFL says.
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