The coward’s way out
Goodell again avoids showing up at Gillette
FOXBORO — There are plenty of names Patriots fans are fond of calling NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. None is very pleasant, and with good reason.
Some of the cleaner ones with regard to his latest transgression? Roger the dodger. Roger the coward. Roger the chicken.
The NFL’s head honcho clearly is avoiding New England because of the Deflategate scandal and four-game penalty levied on Tom Brady, not to mention the loss of draft picks and a hefty fine on the organization. He’s been on the lam from Gillette Stadium ever since Deflategate began two years ago.
His latest sin gives off the appearance that he’s scared of the consequences here. Once again, Goodell had an opportunity to make an appearance in Foxboro, this time for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. Instead, he’s going to Atlanta for the NFC title game.
Way to show your stones, Roger.
Goodell was in Atlanta last week for the divisional round game between the Falcons and Seahawks. Now he’s decided to make a return trip. Clearly, the man is afraid to show his face in these parts. Or the powers that be in the NFL, who decide where he goes, would rather he just avoid the scene here because it doesn’t promise to be a good look.
Let’s remember, it’s all about image. Goodell won’t be kissing babies or shaking hands with friends in Optum Field Lounge in the south end zone. It’s not like he’s going to sit in the stands with his wife and have a good old time yukking it up with fans, like the last time he came a few years ago. Those days are long gone.
Look, it’s perfectly understandable why there would be some apprehension among NFL people to send Goodell here. There will likely be venom aimed in his direction. Some people might argue, “Why go where you’re not wanted?”
The answer is simple. It’s his job.
Besides, why not get it over with? All he’d need to do is have his people whisk him in, get him into a luxury suite, have the CBS cameras flash to him at some point smiling away, and it’s done. The visit is in the books, and everyone can go on with their lives. But this dodge just continues to stoke the fires in New England, keeps the story alive, and adds to the list of reasons to hate Goodell.
NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent, who handed down the Deflategate punishment, has been to Foxboro. That’s not good enough. Fans here want Goodell to show his face.
Outside New England, no one particularly cares whether he ever shows up here. It’s much ado about nothing.
To the fans here, however, who have endured several moments of Deflategate nonsense and watched their quarterback slapped with an excessive four-game suspension, it’s a big deal. Having Goodell be accountable means something.
The only thing Goodell continues to show, however, is a yellow belly.