GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Wisconsin State Assembly Representative John Macco (R-Ledgeview) is calling for the National Football League and Green Bay Packers to reconsider the upcoming game in Brazil.

The Green Bay Packers will play in the first NFL game in South America to open their regular season. The Packers face the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo on Friday at Corinthians Arena.

Rep. Macco cites several issues in Brazil while asking the NFL to reconsider the game.

“In light of the current political and social climate in Brazil, I urge the National Football League (NFL) and Green Bay Packers to reconsider the upcoming game scheduled to be held in Brazil on Friday. The alarming reports of widespread unrest, escalating violence, and profound censorship against U.S. companies operating within Brazil paint a troubling picture of the conditions there.”

The “censorship” concern may allude to recent news that a Brazilian Supreme Court panel unanimously upheld the decision of one of its justices to block billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X nationwide on Monday.

Additionally, at least one NFL player, Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, expressed concerns about Brazil’s crime rate in a recent interview.

Brazil is also currently dealing with raging wildfires.

“Hosting a game in such an environment not only risks the safety and well-being of players, staff, and fans but also risks sending messages contrary to the values the NFL and the Packers stand for,” Rep. Maccowrites in a statement. “It would be in the NFL’s best interest to move the game back to the United States where safety can be ensured for all in attendance and take a stand for the freedom of speech.”

Action 2 News has reached out to the Green Bay Packers for comment.

Copyright 2024 WBAY. All rights reserved.