FOXBORO -- Roger Goodell outsmarted thousands of Patriots fans. That’s got to be the surprise of the century and, quite frankly, a tough one to swallow.
JAGUARS 31, PATRIOTS 24
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The NFL commissioner was in attendance for the Patriots’ preseason-opener against the Jaguars Thursday, ensuring that the regular-season opener will not mark his first time back at Gillette Stadium since the 2015 AFC Championship Game, which was the beginning of the Deflategate saga.
Goodell’s absence from Gillette became an increasingly popular topic, particularly as he opted to go to Atlanta for a second time last postseason rather than revisiting New England and face the music for Deflategate.
The Boston Globe's Ben Volin tweeted a grainy picture of The Commish sitting with Patriots owner Robert Kraft Thursday night.
Here's a much better photo tweeted by NFL PR guy Brian McCarthy, who says Goodell will be back for the regular-season opener against the Chiefs Sept. 7 at Gillette.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy ordered 30,000 towels featuring Barstool’s drawing of Goodell with a clown nose, an image that was popularized in tee shirt form after Pats defensive coordinator Matt Patricia was spotted wearing one. Barstool intended to store the towels near Gillette and hand them out ahead at the season opener.
It is unclear whether the towel plan will still go down. Still, Goodell ruins everything.