Packers fans in Brazil ready for season opener Friday

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- We are just days away from the first kickoff of the 2024 season. The Packers open in Brazil against the Eagles.

São Paulo authorities announced Wednesday, Sept. 4, they will increase the police presence after some players voiced concerns.

We've been in touch with lots of fans who are in Brazil for Friday's game, the second international game for the Packers in three years.

It's another foray into a huge international market for the NFL, but security has been a topic of conversation this week.

Leonardo Cabral is a Packers fan living in Brazil. He told us, "People here in Brazil, they love the Packers."

Cabral first fell in love with the green and gold in Kenosha as an exchange student years ago.

He said, "I have a special love for Wisconsin because I had a lot of friends there. People were real nice with me."

He said American football has exploded in popularity in Brazil in recent years, where fans support all NFL teams, and there are even local leagues.

So, when the first NFL game in South America was announced for São Paulo, thousands of miles from Wisconsin but just three-and-a-half hours from his home in Fortaleza, he decided he had to be there, even if it was very hard to get tickets.

Cabral said, "You had to wait in a line. I spent two hours waiting in that virtual line to buy the tickets."

But it was worth it. On Friday, he, his brother, and his niece will be in the stands, with cheeseheads on.

But not everyone is as excited as Leonardo, including some of the players. Eagles cornerback Darius Slay faced some backlash this week after sharing concerns about safety on his podcast.

Slay said, "They already told us not to leave the hotel. They told us we can't do too much going on because the crime rate is crazy. I'm like, 'NFL, why would y'all want to send us somewhere where the crime rate is this high?'"

Slay said he told his family to stay in the US. He later apologized on social media for the comments.

Crime data shows while robberies remain high, São Paulo's homicide rate has been steadily falling over the past several years.

But in response to concerns, the São Paulo state government said it will increase police presence this week.

A statement sent out Wednesday said police will "escort the teams to their hotels, training sites and the stadium."

And that security will extend to the fans. The statement went on to say, "Policing will also be reinforced during the week to ensure the safety of the public."

Leonardo says São Paulo is like any major city, that he'll feel safe, and tourists should, too, if they stick to the safe areas.

He wants this Packers game to serve as invitation for others to visit his home country. "We have very, very beautiful beaches, it's warm all year, windy. Just come to Brazil. We are really, really excited to receive everybody here."

Kickoff for Packers-Eagles is 7:15 local time Friday night.