Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry boarded an Air France charter Monday evening out of Louis Armstrong Airport, headed for a week in Paris ahead of Sunday’s NFL regular-season game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The Republican governor wore a hoodie bearing the Saints’ fleur-de-lis and traveled “with a bunch of folks” from Louisiana, the group bringing along the franchise’s Super Bowl XLIV Lombardi Trophy.
The trip comes as French authorities have imposed a curfew and shut down businesses and tourist sites in response to a wave of violence that has spread through Paris and other cities.
Landry told reporters before departure that he and his group had been in contact with the State Department and were relying on the NFL’s own security coordination.
“Yeah, look, we’ve been in contact with the State Department and talking to our partners over there,” Landry said. “One thing the NFL does very well is work with the FBI, to use Department of Justice, Interpol, they do a great job of securing new stadiums out there. And we waited to hear the comment from the NFL. They said it’s safe. We’re gonna go out there with a bunch of folks from Louisiana and hopefully have a good time.”
The NFL confirmed Sunday that the game remains on the schedule, though the league’s statement stopped short of declaring the situation in France safe.
“Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday,” the NFL said in a statement provided to OutKick and Fox News Digital. “We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates. There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.”
The Saints flew to France immediately after their Sunday game, with some fans following. The Steelers are set to fly out Thursday, but held a Zoom briefing Monday afternoon with the league office that included all players, coaches and team owner Art Rooney II.
“That’s part of the normal planning anytime you go abroad,” Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said. “The team is excited to go over there but we’re in contact with the league… We are aware of the situations over there, and have a lot of confidence in our plan.”
Saints players already in France had Tuesday off and were free to leave their temporary headquarters near Versailles, with some planning to attend a Paris Saint-Germain FC soccer match that evening.
Landry said he intends to mix the trip with state business, including meetings with the CEOs of Shell and BP. He also hopes to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who is expected at the game, to lobby for another Super Bowl to be held in New Orleans.
