Players don’t care about Roger
FOXBORO — Roger Goodell isn’t coming to Foxboro again, but the Patriots don’t seem to really care.
The NFL commissioner won’t be in attendance at Gillette Stadium for the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Instead, Goodell will be going to Atlanta for a second straight week to take in the NFC title game between the Falcons and Green Bay Packers.
“I could not care less,” Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan said. “I’m focused on Pittsburgh and their defense and studying them as much as I can this week and watching them as much as I can so I can go out there on Sunday prepared.”
Goodell has not been to Gillette since the 2014 AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts, the infamous night the Deflategate saga took off and ultimately ended this past summer after he fined the Patriots $1 million, took away two draft picks and suspended Tom Brady for four games.
That’s led many to speculate Goodell is dodging Foxboro in fear of the backlash he would receive. Last week, he opted to go to Atlanta on Saturday before flying to Kansas City for Sunday’s Steelers-Chiefs divisional round game. If the Patriots win, Goodell will see them at the Super Bowl in Houston.
“I didn’t know that,” Matthew Slater said of Goodell going to Atlanta two straight weeks. “Haven’t given it any thought. He’s free to do and go where he wants to go.”
Slater wasn’t sure if it was important for Goodell to be in Foxboro for the AFC title game.
“Not necessarily,” Slater said. “The game is going to be played, whoever is in attendance is in attendance. We’re just worried about trying to play well.”
Patriots tackle Nate Solder shared similar sentiments.
“I think (Goodell) does what he thinks is right, and we have to do what we think is right and move on,” Solder said. “What I’m most concerned about is the game and playing the best that I can against a really tough group.”
The debate about whether Goodell should come to Foxboro is not likely to end until he actually shows up here, but for now, the Pats are focusing on the task at hand.
Brady isn’t letting any hard feelings that might still linger show, and he didn’t seem to care if Goodell shows up or not during his Monday radio appearance on WEEI.
“Um, you know, he is the commissioner, so obviously whatever he wants to do, he can do,” Brady said after a pause. “That’s, if he wants to come, that would be ... yeah, he can come. You know, guys, I don’t want to . . . he can go wherever wants to go. Whoever’s at the game is at the game.”
‘Haven’t given it any thought. He’s free to do and go where he wants to go.’ — MATTHEW SLATER On Roger Goodell not coming to Foxboro