PARIS — American football fans brought high energy, chants and smiles to Stade de France on Sunday to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers face the New Orleans Saints.Some said the mass protests in the city were not an issue during their weekend trip.The NFL’s first regular-season game in France came a day after more than 400,000 people around the country took to the streets to protest educational funding and the high cost of living.
At least 110,000 of those protesters were concentrated in Paris, according to the French Interior Ministry.Although the demonstrations were largely peaceful, some clashes broke out, prompting French security forces to use tear gas and water cannons in several cities.Paris prosecutors said there were 64 arrests in the nation’s capital on Saturday, mostly for suspected weapons offenses or participation in a group preparing violence or property damage.But American visitors in town to cheer on their teams told NBC News that everyone they’ve encountered had been welcoming.Lifelong friends and Saints fans Sindhu Pandit, Shruti Menon and Pramod Menon said they never felt the game would be canceled.
Pandit said the key to their own movements around the city was to stay informed.“I think we were all given quite a bit of good information from the the different platforms that we were subscribed to,” Pandit said.“And as well as, you know, staying on local news as well — the concierge services at the different hotels were quite good at keeping us informed.”Pramod Menon added that locals were “incredibly hospitable” and considerate of the fact that they were visitors.
The friends said they came to support both the country and their team, a sentiment his wife shared.“We’re so excited to be here in Paris, and what a perfect place for for New Orleans, the home of the French,” Shruti Menon said.“And so it’s wonderful to be here.”Sean Warner, a Steelers fan since 1974, may not share the Menons’ taste in teams, but he also ...