Rodgers Backs NFL on Paris Game: "If It Was Unsafe, I'm Sure We Wouldn't Be Here"

Aaron Rodgers believes the NFL would have pulled the plug on Sunday's Paris game if it were unsafe, telling reporters on Friday he has complete confidence in the league's handling of the security situation in the French capital. "I definitely think that the NFL is alert to what's going on," the four-time MVP said at a press conference inside a downtown Paris hotel. "This game means a lot to the NFL. If it was unsafe, then I'm sure we wouldn't be here."

The Pittsburgh Steelers landed in France on Friday morning for the NFL's first regular-season game in Paris, a Week 7 clash with the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The buildup has been disrupted on two fronts: nationwide protests and unrest in France — the US State Department issued a security alert on Thursday night urging Americans to avoid demonstrations — and Storm Austen, which forced the Steelers to cancel their scheduled Friday practice at the stadium after high winds rolled through Paris.

Rodgers' backing carries weight. The league has been working closely with Parisian and French authorities, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday he had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the plans. The Steelers also scrapped a "Steelers House" fan event in the Bastille neighbourhood, the area expected to host Saturday's demonstrations. But as Rodgers noted, the game goes on — and with kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, the league will hope the only storm that matters is on the field.