{"id":20107,"date":"2017-01-23T06:14:23","date_gmt":"2017-01-23T06:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=20107"},"modified":"2017-01-23T06:14:23","modified_gmt":"2017-01-23T06:14:23","slug":"roger-goodell-has-no-choice-but-to-go-and-watch-tom-brady-play-now-in-super-bowl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/sports\/roger-goodell-has-no-choice-but-to-go-and-watch-tom-brady-play-now-in-super-bowl.html","title":{"rendered":"Roger Goodell has no choice but to go and watch Tom Brady play now in Super Bowl"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Roger Goodell has no choice but to go and watch Tom Brady play now in Super Bowl<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

No more ducking, Roger Goodell.<\/span><\/p>\n

For two years, the NFL commissioner has been conspicuous in his absence from any game involving Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. But no more. Since Goodell won\u2019t come to New England, Brady and the Patriots will take the game to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ever been to one of those uncomfortable parties where the host has invited someone while praying he or she won\u2019t show up, and then the person does? Yeah. Super Bowl LI is going to be just like that, only way more awkward because the entire world will be watching.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor a number of reasons, all of you in the stadium understand how big this win was,\u201d Patriots owner Robert Kraft said, making not the slightest effort to be subtle and drawing an enthusiastic roar in response.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brady refused to get drawn into the fray, saying his teammates were his only motivation and claiming not even to have heard the fans taunt Goodell with chants of, \u201cWhere is Roger?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But this entire season, or what he\u2019s played of it, has doubled as Brady’s revenge tour, designed to force a showdown with Goodell in Houston.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even for a four-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP, Brady is playing at a ridiculously high level. He threw two interceptions during the entire regular season, the fewest of his career, while completing 67% of his passes. In Sunday’s 36-17 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he shredded what had been one of the toughest defenses down the stretch for 384 yards, a Patriots postseason record. Brady finished 32 of 42, with three touchdowns, as he became the first player to reach seven Super Bowls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now all that\u2019s left is for him to flash that Cheshire Cat grin as he accepts the MVP trophy from Goodell two weeks from now.<\/span><\/p>\n

And if you\u2019ve followed the Deflategate saga at all, you just know that\u2019s coming.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTom did what Tom does,\u201d tight end Martellus Bennett said. \u201cHe\u2019s fired up and laser-focused.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For those trapped on a remote island for the last two years, a recap: The Indianapolis Colts accused the Patriots of using deflated footballs in the 2014 AFC Championship Game. Based on fuzzy science and some shadiness by Brady and two New England equipment guys, the NFL decided that the Patriots were, in fact, cheating. New England was docked a first-round draft pick and fined $1 million \u2014 the largest fine in NFL history, mind you. Kraft opted not to fight the punishment imposed in May 2015, hoping Goodell would show some leniency toward Brady.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fat. Chance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Goodell takes the protection of his beloved \u201cshield\u201d personally, and anyone he feels is playing fast and loose with the rules is going to feel his wrath. Even if that person is a future Hall of Fame quarterback and current NFL poster boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Goodell suspended Brady four games \u2014 a harsher sentence than some domestic abusers have gotten. The punishment was delayed while it went through the court system, but Brady finally served it at the start of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

For two years now, Kraft and New England fans have seethed at the injustice of it all, believing Brady and the Patriots were targeted as payback for all of their success. (Four Super Bowl titles \u2014 and counting \u2014 since 2001 for those keeping track.) All that vitriol once reserved for the New York Yankees was turned on Goodell.<\/span><\/p>\n

And don\u2019t think the commish doesn\u2019t know it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three things to know: Patriots vs. Falcons Super Bowl LI preview<\/span>
\n Once a close friend of Kraft\u2019s \u2014 Goodell was a guest at the owner\u2019s pre-AFC Championship Game party two years ago \u2014 he\u2019s been avoiding the Patriots as if they have a highly communicable disease. He skipped the season opener here in 2015, an unheard-of slight for the NFL\u2019s kickoff party.<\/span><\/p>\n

After being in Atlanta for last week\u2019s divisional round, fairness would have dictated that he come to New England for the AFC title game. So, too, the prospect of a better game, honestly.<\/span><\/p>\n

But to the surprise of no one, Goodell decided it was better that he again go to Atlanta, where he could roam the sideline without worry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s like Waldo right now,\u201d Bennett said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t want to come here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But there will be no hiding in Houston. Goodell is going to have to face Brady, on the biggest stage the NFL has.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe boys showed up and played today,\u201d Brady said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to do that again in two weeks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-\u00a0http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/columnist\/nancy-armour\/2017\/01\/22\/roger-goodell-tom-brady-new-england-patriots-deflategate-super-bowl\/96935682\/<\/span><\/div>\n

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