Most New England Patriots fans view NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as Public Enemy No. 1 after the “Deflategate” scandal.
Patriots fans were chanting “Where is Roger?” near the end of the team’s win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. The question was valid, Goodell did not attend either of the Patriots playoff wins, leading to speculation that he was avoiding Gillette Stadium in the aftermath of Deflategate.
Goodell said he hasn’t been consciously avoiding attending a Patriots game.
“If I’m invited back to Foxborough, I will come,” Goodell said Wednesday during his annual Super Bowl media availability. “I have no doubt that if I wanted to come up to a Patriots game and I asked Mr. Kraft, he would welcome me back. That’s up to him.”
The once close relationship between Goodell and Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been strained since Goodell suspended New England quarterback Tom Brady four games and fined the Patriots $1 million and took away a first-round draft pick as punishment.
Kraft who has tried to strike a balance between being conciliatory and bitter during Super Bowl week, extended an invite to the Patriots ceremony if they defeat the Atlanta Falcons in Sunday’s Super Bowl 51.
“I’ve talked to a lot of fans who would welcome Roger back to Gillette Stadium,” Kraft said in a statement. “If we are fortunate enough to win on Sunday, the kick-off of the (2017) NFL season would present the perfect opportunity.”
Kraft is probably right. Patriots fans would welcome him back to Gillette Stadium.
So they could boo him.
— Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold
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