Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon has expressed his excitement about the upcoming NFL season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 6. While Nixon is thrilled about the prospect, he remains tight-lipped about the specific reasons for his enthusiasm.
“I was actually really excited to go to Brazil,” the 26-year-old shared with reporters, a smile playing on his lips. “I’m still excited to go, but I ain’t gonna tell y’all why.” Nixon, who describes himself as a “leaping lemur,” further emphasized his eagerness: “I’m excited to go to Brazil. Real excited.”
So, what is it about Sao Paulo that has Nixon so intrigued? Is it the city’s renowned gastronomic delights, its famous architecture, or perhaps the Museu do Futebol? One can only speculate about what might attract a young man to a vibrant metropolis like Sao Paulo, which is home to nearly 20 million people, with a female population of over half that number.
Sao Paulo is known for its carnival celebration featuring proactively dressed samba dancers
The upcoming game in Brazil marks a significant milestone for the NFL, as it will be the first regular-season game held in the country. Additionally, it will be the first Friday night game on the season’s opening weekend since 1970. The Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles will face off at Corinthians Arena, the home of the Brazilian soccer team Corinthians. This venue previously hosted matches during the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
For the Packers, this will be their second international game in three years. In 2022, they played their first regular-season game outside the United States, facing the New York Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Mark Murphy, the president and CEO of the Packers, shared the team’s enthusiasm: “We’re looking forward to being a part of this historic matchup against the Eagles in Sao Paulo […] We’re excited to play in front of our devoted fans in Brazil and help build upon the international popularity of the NFL and the Packers.”
The game will be exclusively streamed on Peacock and will also be available on free broadcast television in the local markets of the Eagles and Packers.
As for Nixon, he recently signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Packers, including a $6.5 million signing bonus. Nixon made a notable impact last season, starting four games at cornerback and excelling on special teams. He led the NFL in kickoff return yards, averaging 28.83 yards per return, and set a new single-season record for the Packers.
Nixon’s performance placed him among an elite group of players who have achieved similar milestones since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. He also demonstrated his versatility with solid punt return averages and special teams tackles.
