NFL overcomes civil unrest, Trump concerns and calls to postpone as Steelers and Saints kick off in Paris

What happened: The NFL kicked off the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints game at Stade de France in Paris as planned, despite protests and violence in France the previous day and calls to postpone or relocate. Key numbers: About 110,000 protesters took to the streets on Why it matters: The league proceeded after President Donald Trump said he was "worried about it" and that the NFL "could've probably postponed that match." Commissioner Roger Goodell had been in contact with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the U.S. Embassy and France believed the game would "be fine.

The NFL kicked off the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints game at Stade de France in Paris as planned, despite protests and violence in France the previous day and calls to postpone or relocate.

The league proceeded after President Donald Trump said he was "worried about it" and that the NFL "could've probably postponed that match." Commissioner Roger Goodell had been in contact with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the U.S. Embassy and France believed the game would "be fine.