NFL in Brazil: Eagles star backtracks after saying he would not need to go Sao Paulo for opener towards Packers

Plainly Darius Slay has modified his tune about taking part in in Brazil. After initially saying he did not need to play in South America in Week 1, the Eagles star backtracked on these feedback Tuesday. Slay has now apologized for his phrases whereas additionally including that he is trying ahead to taking part in in Sao Paulo. 

The six-time Professional Bowler despatched out his apology via social media. 

“I need to apologize to anybody I offended, that wasn’t my intention,” Slay wrote. “I am trying ahead to taking part in in your stunning nation and I’ve heard y’all are very passionate identical to our wonderful Eagles fan. Just some extra days, cannot wait!”

The Eagles, who will likely be heading to Brazil on Wednesday morning, will likely be making historical past this week after they face the Green Bay Packers in what would be the the NFL’s first sport ever in South America. The sport kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Friday. 

Slay discovered himself in scorching water earlier this week after he had mentioned he would favor NOT to go to Sao Paulo for the sport throughout an episode of his podcast, “Massive Play Slay.” The cornerback pointed to the crime charge as one purpose why he did not need to play in Sao Paulo. 

“I don’t need to go to Brazil. You need to know why? I will let you know why,” Slay mentioned, via PHL Eagles Nation. “They already advised us to not depart the resort. They advised us we will not do an excessive amount of happening, as a result of the crime charge is loopy. I am like ‘NFL, why would you need to ship us someplace with a criminal offense charge this excessive?'”

Slay had mentioned that he was so uncomfortable with the state of affairs that he requested his household to not attend the sport. 

“I advised my household don’t come down there as a result of I am not going to be nowhere to be discovered,” Slay mentioned.

Slay is not the one one catching warmth, both. Due to how comparable their names are, Darius Slayton, a large receiver for the Giants, has additionally been listening to from the folks of Brazil relating to these feedback.

Slay mentioned he plans to spend the whole journey in his resort, which echoed the sentiment of teammate A.J. Brown. Throughout an interview on Aug. 29, the Eagles receiver mentioned he would probably even be spending a very good chunk of the journey in his resort room. 

“We had a gathering [on Aug. 28], and there have been a complete bunch of ‘Do not Do’s,'” Brown mentioned. “So I am simply making an attempt to go down there and win a soccer sport, and are available again residence … However after listening to all these things, I am in all probability going to be in my room.”

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has heard the feedback from his gamers, however he would not view the state of affairs the identical means. 

“We’re going there to play and win a soccer sport. That is our aim. That is our solely aim as we go down there,” Sirianni mentioned on Sunday. “And so, it is simply getting all people in the correct mindset of what you might want to be once you go down there. You’ll be able to management the issues which you could management. Like, we will Brazil to play. That is what it’s. We’re enthusiastic about that.”

The complaints in regards to the location of the sport date again to June, when Packers working again Josh Jacobs expressed some concern about what player safety will likely be like in Brazil, though he did later apologize. 

As for the Eagles gamers, if they’re fearful, the excellent news for them is that they will not be spending very a lot time in Brazil. The Eagles flight is schedule to land in Sao Paulo round 10 p.m. native time on Wednesday. The Eagles will then fly residence instantly after the sport, which suggests the staff will likely be in Brazil for simply over 48 hours.