The Green Bay Packers made a rare big splash in free agency when they signed 2022 NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs. Of course, Jacobs will take over as the premier running back due to Aaron Jones (who has since signed with the Minnesota Vikings) being released. The Packers also drafted USC running back Marshawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and brought back AJ Dillon on a one-year deal.
Earlier this offseason, the Packers were chosen as one of the teams that will play their Week One game in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and is a highly anticipated due to the rejuvenation of Green Bay’s defense and the excitement surround Jordan Love and his offense taking a step forward after a promising end to 2023
That being said, Jacob made some comments on a recent podcast that had many fans concerned.
Green Bay Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs Claimed the Players Cannot Wear Green for Safety Purposes
On Thursday’s episode of “Green Light with Chris Long,” Jacobs said that he and the players were told that they cannot wear green out in public due to it being a color affiliated with gangs in Sao Paolo:
“You know, they said that the part of Brazil we’re going to, you can’t even wear green at. Yhey said, I guess, something to do with the gangs and stuff.
“They said, we’re not going to Rio. They was like, ‘Man, it’s one of them places where they probably won’t even let us leave the hotels.’ They was like, ‘Man, look, just pack black and white colors. When you come out here, we don’t want no mishaps.’”
This statement drew quite the response on social media because both the Packers and Eagles use green as one of their primary colors. Many wondered why the NFL would send two teams with green uniforms to play in a place where it was not safe to wear that color.
The problem is that Jacobs was misinformed or misunderstood what he was told.
Green Bay Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs Issues an Apology Over His Brazil Comments
The stadium in which the Packers and Eagles will play is typically a soccer stadium. The local team’s biggest rivals, the Corinthians, wear green uniforms. As a result, there is an informal ban on local fans wearing that color to the stadium. It is not affiliated with gangs in any way.
When Jacobs was made aware of this, he issued an apology on social media:
Josh Jacobs apologizes to Brazil https://t.co/FA8NqZTZAH pic.twitter.com/yvwWKB3dtH
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 7, 2024
The Packers and Eagles will play on September 6 in Sao Paolo at 7:15 PM CST.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
