Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry arrived in Paris on Tuesday aboard an Air France charter, joining a group of Saints fans and state officials who will spend the week in France ahead of the NFL’s historic regular‑season matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France.
Governor stresses security coordination
Landry, wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the Saints’ fleur‑de‑lis, told reporters that the trip’s safety risk is manageable thanks to extensive coordination with federal agencies. “We’ve been in contact with the State Department and talking to our partners over there,” he said. “One thing the NFL does very well is work with the FBI, the Department of Justice, Interpol – they do a great job of securing new stadiums out there. We waited to hear the comment from the NFL. They said it’s safe. We’re going out there with a bunch of folks from Louisiana and hopefully have a good time.”
NFL confirms game remains on schedule
The league issued a statement confirming that preparations for the game continue as scheduled. “We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites,” the NFL said, adding that both clubs are receiving regular updates.
Team logistics and fan activities
The Steelers are set to fly to France on Thursday, after holding a Zoom meeting with league officials on Monday. Coach Mike McCarthy said the team is excited and confident in the security plan. Saints players, already in France, have free time to explore the area near Versailles and some plan to attend a Paris Saint‑Germain soccer match.
Backdrop of civil unrest in France
Travel comes amid a curfew imposed by the French government and the temporary shutdown of several businesses and tourist attractions following violent protests in Paris and other cities. Despite the unrest, Landry indicated he will use the trip to conduct business on behalf of Louisiana, meeting with executives from Shell, BP and other companies.
Potential future Super Bowl talks
Landry also hopes to meet NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who will attend the game, to discuss the possibility of hosting another Super Bowl in New Orleans. The governor’s delegation views the trip as both a cultural exchange and an opportunity to promote Louisiana’s interests abroad.
Overall, the governor’s presence underscores Louisiana’s enthusiasm for the Saints and highlights the collaborative effort between state officials, federal agencies and the NFL to ensure a safe and successful inaugural French NFL game.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
