Steelers lead Saints 13-10 at halftime as NFL presses on with Paris debut amid protests
The Pittsburgh Steelers led the New Orleans Saints 13-10 at halftime in the NFL's first regular-season game in Paris, and league officials said the contest would go ahead despite ongoing protests. The league had earlier confirmed that preparations for the Week 7 matchup would stay on schedule despite recent demonstrations, a stance echoed by Commissioner Roger Goodell after receiving security assurances from U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Former quarterback Boomer Esiason warned the game could inflame unrest, and President Donald Trump urged the league to consider postponement.
In response to safety concerns, the NFL and the Steelers cancelled a planned fan gathering and closed a Paris fan hub, while the U. S. State Department issued a travel alert as protests continued. Nevertheless, the league reiterated that the kickoff at Stade de France would proceed as planned.