Saints players plan low-key Paris stay as families weigh travel for Steelers game

New Orleans Saints players who arrived in Paris on Monday, October 19, said they planned to keep a low profile amid unrest in France ahead of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tight end Juwan Johnson said some of his family were undecided about travelling, according to the Associated Press. The NFL lists the game for Sunday, October 25, at Stade de France.

The players spoke in a virtual news conference after the team arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport. Questions focused on rioting that had appeared in news coverage and on social media, AP reported. Their comments add a personal account to the league’s earlier position that the game remains scheduled.

Juwan Johnson’s family has yet to decide

Safety Justin Reid said he expected to spend most of his time near Versailles, where the Saints were staying. He described plans to do activities together and stay clear of trouble so the team could focus on its game. Paris Saint-Germain has invited Saints players to its Champions League match against Barcelona at Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, AP reported.

NFL says Paris game preparations remain on schedule

In a statement quoted by AP, the NFL said preparations continued as scheduled for its events and the game at Stade de France. The league also said there had been “no disruption or impact at league sites.” Its Paris game page lists Pittsburgh against New Orleans on October 25.

The Steelers planned to arrive in Paris later in the week, AP reported. Pittsburgh safety Jaquan Brisker said the situation outside “looks crazy,” but added that he assumed everyone had a plan. Johnson’s relatives had not settled their travel plans when he spoke; the players’ comments describe how they intend to spend the days before kickoff.

The players’ arrival and comments follow the NFL’s earlier statement that the fixture would proceed amid the protests, covered in NewsJaws’ report on the Paris game schedule.