Former NFL security committee member details how league operates amid civil unrest in Paris before Week 7 game

analysis Amy Trask, the previous CEO of the Oakland Raiders, served on the NFL’s security committee

Oct 21, 2026

at 12:25 pm ET

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3 minutes checked out

The NFL will broaden its global footprint on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints start from the Stade de France simply north of Paris. This will mark the league’s very first video game in France. The worldwide contest does have the background of continuous civil discontent and demonstrations taking place throughout the nation triggered by the increasing expense of living and bad school conditions.

Presentations throughout Paris and the rest of the nation came down into riots as violent groups have actually robbed stores, burned home, and coped authorities. More than 2,800 individuals have actually been apprehended, according to CBS News

Naturally, with the NFL on Paris’ doorstep, security issues surrounding the groups, gamers, fans, and anybody else associated with the occasions of the league have actually been raised.

“The league takes extremely seriously security matters irrespective of the location of the game and irrespective of whether it is a game or ancillary activities surrounding a game,” Amy Trask, previous CEO of the Oakland Raiders, previous member of the NFL’s Security Committee and present CBS Sports expert, stated in an individually interview about the approaching video game in Paris. “I can tell you from experience on the league’s security committee, the preparation and the planning is extensive. It is tremendous, and that, again, is the case whether this is a game internationally, in the United States or whether it’s an event other than a game.”

Provided the discontent in the city, the outside-viewing public has actually questioned if the video game would require to be vacated Paris and back to the United States. Internally, nevertheless, NFL Executive VP of club service, worldwide and league occasions Peter O’Reilly stated Tuesday that there was never ever a point that the video game remained in risk of not being dipped into the Stade de France. That stated, the league will have increased security in the wake of these presentations.

When inquired about the video game day security determines the league takes, Trask highlighted the a number of layers of security that are associated with a video game within the United States, varying from “local authorities, local law enforcement, state authorities, state law enforcement, national authorities, and national law enforcement.” Those layers just increase when considering the worldwide part.

“That is something that was a focus when I was on the security committee,” Trask stated. “You’ve got security on site the moment people are approaching the venue. In other words, the security is not simply at the gate when people are entering the venue. There is security well outside of the venue. There is security before you even enter the parking lot, so there will be security throughout the area. Some of the security will be noticeable, recognizable. Some of the security will be undercover, meaning simply not in uniform, not dressed in a manner where you will immediately notice it is security. It was my experience that there is ample security at the NFL events. 

“… As I kept in mind, when the video games remain in the United States, that’s regional security, community security, state security, nationwide security. Now you will include to this Parisian security, French security.” 

While the matchup between Pittsburgh and New Orleans is the marquee event, there will be other satellite events to complement the game that players could be involved in as the NFL attempts to endear itself to the international audience. On top of that, there will likely be some time for the players to explore, which brings with it added security questions. The Steelers know this firsthand, as former quarterback Skylar Thompson was leapt and robbed before last season’s video game in Dublin, Ireland.

“Teams handle things differently,” Trask kept in mind when inquired about how clubs interact with gamers about how to hang out beyond the center and perhaps going to league-sponsored occasions or other activities. “I don’t think there is one answer for every team. … When I communicated with the team, I emphasized the importance of the fans. Yes, a team is there to play a game, but there are, as you referenced, satellite events, and you do want your players to understand the importance of the fans that are attending these satellite events that are participating.  

“Now, the most crucial thing for the gamers is to be prepared for the video game. There are curfews, and there are guidelines put in location for the gamers by the head coach, by the company so that their main focus is the video game or, as the gentleman from my work would state, ‘Just win, child.’ That stated, you do desire gamers included to the degree possible in satellite occasions.”

The Steelers and Saints will begin from Stade de France on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET and 2:30 p.m. regional time.