Video: Josh Jacobs Says NFL Told Packers, Eagles Not to Wear Green for Brazil Game

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs said the NFL told players not to wear green to their Week 1 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil.

"You know, they said that the part of Brazil we're going to, you can't even wear green at," Jacobs said on Thursday's episode of Green Light with Chris Long. "They said, I guess, something to do with the gangs and stuff."

Jacobs continued: "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.'"

The Week 1 matchup marks the first NFL game ever held in Brazil. It will take place at Corinthians Arena, home venue of the Brazilian soccer club SC Corinthians.

Jacobs continued: "They was like, 'Man, look, just pack black and white colors. When you come out here, we don't want no mishaps.'"

Corinthians have an "informal ban" on wearing the color green due to a rivalry with the green-clad Brazilian club Palmeiras, according to The Guardian. The ban is taken seriously enough that Corinthians fined one of their players for wearing green cleats during a match in 2021, per Reuters.

International teams playing in the stadium have previously worn the color while playing in the stadium in the form of green numbers or green jersey trim, The Guardian reported.

Corinthians Arena is no stranger to big matchups, having previously played host to major international events including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

But Jacobs said the league's warnings had left him unenthused for his overseas Packers debut.

"They probably gonna have, like, armored vehicles following us," Jacobs said. "I said, bro, Why are we out here? Why are we here?'"

"... I was looking forward to it. I'm like, man, this 'bout to be a fun week. Telling us all of that, they like, 'Yeah, nah, it's not gonna be like that.'"

Jacobs is joining the Packers after five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, including a 2022 All-Pro campaign in which he led the NFL in rushing yards.

He will kick off his first year in Green Bay with a historic outing as the Packers open the 2024 season with the first NFL contest ever played in South America on Friday, September 6.