HOUSTON — Speaking Wednesday during his annual Super Bowl press conference, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked whether or not he felt he got bad advice in his decision to punish the New England Ensobet Patriots for Delfategate.
“No, we had a violation. We went through a process. We applied the discipline in accordance with our process,” Goodell said the George R. Brown Convention Center. “It was litigated as you know, extenisley. It was validated by the second court of appeals. We are moving on from that. It is part of our history, but it is something with the process, the decision and we are focusing on the game now.”
8 Super Bowl LI Storylines
The Patriots play the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium.
It has been two seasons since the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady were found to be decreasing the air pressure in footballs used during games, a violation that ultimately led to Brady being suspended four games.
Many feel Goodell has been avoiding the Patriots since he didn’t go to any of their playoff games this season.
Asked on Wednesday, however, Goodell denied he is avoiding the Patriots.
“If I’m invited back to Foxboro,” Goodell said. “I’ll come.”
As for being in the same city as the Patriots — and Brady — this week, Goodell didn’t seem phased.
“I would tell you that it isn’t awkward at all for me,” Goodell said. “We have a job to do. We do our job if there is a violation…We came to a conclusion that was supported by the facts and the courts.”
More details to come.
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Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.
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