phao123Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Darius Slay is looking forward to Friday’s Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers, but he’s not looking forward to the team’s trip to Brazil.
On a recent episode of his podcast “The Big Hit,” the six-time Pro Bowler expressed safety concerns for teams playing in the South American country, adding that he specifically told his family not to travel to Brazil to watch him play.
Philadelphia Eagles No. 2 receiver Darius Slay Jr. reacts before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Aug. 9, 2024 in Baltimore. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
“Week 1, I was looking forward to it. I couldn’t wait. But, man, I didn’t want to go to Brazil,” he began. “And you want to know why? I’m here to tell you why. They told us not to leave the hotel. They told us not to do too much because the crime rate is crazy.”
Slay added that since he wouldn’t be able to see his family much on the trip, he advised them to stay home.
“I was like, NFL, why would you guys want to send us somewhere with this high crime rate and we’re out of the country? You know, the first thing that comes to mind is there’s a terrorist attack. I told my family, don’t go down there because I’m not going to disappear. I’m going to be in the hotel relaxing, minding my own business, playing my game after a nine-and-a-half hour flight.”
Darius Slay, No. 2 wide receiver of the Philadelphia Eagles, leads a group of players before the NFL Wild Card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
