'Enjoyable, enjoyable ambiance': Eagles relished their time -- and the win -- in Brazil

SÃO PAULO — The singing of the Brazilian nationwide anthem earlier than the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers kicked off Friday evening was among the many moments that resonated essentially the most for gamers throughout their journey to Sao Paulo.

An enormous Brazilian flag was unfurled on the sector to match the American flag beside it. Because the track neared its crescendo, the capability crowd at Enviornment Corinthians joined in and step by step constructed up the depth till your entire stadium was emoting in unison — a stirring scene distinctive to itself within the historical past of the NFL.

“Clearly I really like my nation, however when it was [Brazil’s] nationwide anthem, I acquired chills,” mentioned operating again Saquon Barkley, who would go on to star within the first NFL recreation performed in South America, scoring three touchdowns.

“In the event you ask anyone, we have been like, ‘Wow, that was particular.'”

It was the kind of journey the place recollections have been hard-earned. The Eagles needed to journey 10 hours to get to Brazil from Philadelphia, and it took the Packers even longer from Inexperienced Bay.

As soon as by way of the gridlock visitors (suppose Los Angeles on its worst day) and on the stadium, the groups discovered the sector to be completely different, and tougher, than they’re accustomed to. The turf, constructed for soccer matches, was slick and the highest got here off simple. There was loads of slipping and sliding, which pressured them to regulate on the fly and go together with deeper cleats.

Stepping out of your consolation zone isn’t simple, particularly whenever you’re doing so whereas additionally being requested to carry out on the highest degree. Some gamers expressed apprehension beforehand and questioned why they have been being despatched to a spot so far-off and holding so many unknowns.

That concern largely dissipated as they frolicked in Sao Paulo. The locals endeared themselves to gamers and coaches. The Eagles frolicked with a Brazilian youth soccer crew following Thursday’s walkthrough on the stadium and led them by way of drills. A metal drum band was there, and it did not take lengthy earlier than some Eagles gamers began drumming themselves whereas others fashioned a conga line.

The vibes in Brazil are immaculate pic.twitter.com/DFmF0Ed8sw

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 5, 2024

Native reporters did their finest to ask their questions in English although a Portuguese translator was on the prepared — a present of effort the crew publicly acknowledged. And the questions requested have been a lot completely different than the nuts-and-bolts selection they sometimes get from the beat writers, producing equally distinctive solutions.

“I am a child from East Houston that used to play this recreation within the streets — any piece of grass I might discover, I might go throw the ball round and simply benefit from the recreation, the love for the sport,” mentioned quarterback Jalen Hurts. “Simply having the chance to come back this far on this journey and to be the place we’re, my spirit is stuffed with gratitude to be right here.”

Chants broke out throughout the recreation which might be usually reserved for soccer matches. The cadence of the gang noise broke from the normal — the cheering was nearly nonstop — although there have been loads of “Go, Pack! Go!” chants combined in, together with the occasional Eagles combat track.

For the Eagles, the expertise was enhanced by the truth that they gained, clearly. It helped with the “long-ass flight” house, as Hurts put it to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. It additionally allowed them to positively mirror on their time there, realizing they’d completed the primary function of the journey, from their perspective.

“Brazil, thanks,” coach Nick Sirianni mentioned. “It was a enjoyable, enjoyable, enjoyable ambiance. Felt like a playoff ambiance. That was one thing unimaginable.

“Man, did Brazil get an ideal recreation tonight or what? I do know we transformed some individuals to be big-time soccer followers tonight.”