Brian Schottenheimer takes a surprising step: He 'bans' Cowboys players from travelling to Brazil

The Dallas Cowboys have traveled more than 5,000 miles for a NFL historic game in Rio de Janeiro , but Brian Schottenheimer has made sure the trip feels more like a work assignment than an international adventure. Players’ families did not travel with the team, and sightseeing has been taken off the agenda as Dallas prepares to face the Baltimore Ravens in a crucial match-up in Week 3.

The 1-1 Cowboys need a win as they arrive in Brazil , particularly with a compressed schedule in coming weeks, along with security considerations and little more than two days to adjust before kickoff. With that in mind, the team’s head coach Schottenheimer has forbidden the players from bringing their families to South America as he wants his players focused solely on the job at hand. At the same time, the decision comes as the U.S. State Department advises travelers to exercise increased caution in Brazil because of crime and kidnapping concerns, with some areas carrying stronger warnings. “Brian Schottenheimer said they were upfront with players about the business aspect of this trip,” Cowboys beat reporter Joseph Hoyt reported. “Families aren’t here. They plan to spend a lot of time together working and meeting before they kick off on Sunday.”

Strictly business in Rio says Schottenheimer

It’s easy to get swept up in the moment as even for experienced veterans like Dak Prescott this is his first international game. After 11 NFL seasons, he finally gets to play outside the United States . But Schottenheimer has been clear that Dallas will not use the trip as a chance to explore Rio as when the Cowboys are not at practice, walkthroughs or game-related activities, they are expected to spend much of their time at the team hotel. “We’re going to be busy. This is a business trip,” Schottenheimer said. “The meetings and the walkthroughs and the practice that we’ll have [Friday], the trip to the stadium on Saturday, those are all critical parts to what we’re doing so we go into the game feeling prepared. “I’m not planning any touristy attractions. My thing is to focus on getting down there. It’s going to be a long trip. We know that. We own that. Got a good plan in place.” And the team’s star wide receiver George Pickens said the players understand why the team is taking that approach. “Just being safe,” Pickens said. “I feel like the brand we have is a lot bigger to risk … because we’ve got fans out there. A bigger brand. Definitely want to stay safe, because you don’t want to risk it as a team.” The Cowboys ’ challenge extends beyond Sunday as the Dallas ’ schedule makes the trip even more demanding and the team are expected to travel more than 10,000 miles round trip, then return home and prepare for the Houston Texans . Shortly after, they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on another short week in a packed schedule as they charge to the NFL Playoffs , but that’s in the future. For now, Prescott says he is looking forward to playing in front of Cowboys supporters who may never have had the opportunity to see the team in person.