Roger Goodell Not At Gillette Stadium For Patriots-Texans
BOSTON (CBS) – Roger Goodell's lengthy absence from Gillette Stadium continued on Saturday.
The NFL Commissioner has not appeared at a Patriots home game since the start of DeflateGate. That trend continued when the Patriots hosted the Houston Texans on Saturday night in the AFC Divisional Round at Gillette Stadium.
Related: Do You Care If Roger Goodell Ever Shows Up At Gillette Stadium Again?
As Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald first noted, Goodell would not be in attendance.
Roger Goodell won't be at Gillette Stadium tonight.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 14, 2017
Instead, Goodell was in Atlanta as the Falcons hosted the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday afternoon. It's the second straight week the commissioner has attended an NFC game.
Patriots president Jonathan Kraft was asked about Goodell not visiting Gillette during 98.5 The Sports Hub's pregame show, and didn't sound too concerned about the commissioner staying away from Foxboro.
"I'll let you ask the league office about that. I don't know how they pick where he goes," said Kraft. "They don't call the teams; that's not the way it works. I think the league office determines where he goes.
"I might be wrong on that, because I'm sure someone will take this through social media, but I have no idea," added Kraft. "Hopefully we have a great football game and hopefully it has the right result."
During their season opening game in 2015 following their Super Bowl victory the previous season, Patriots fans in the crowd loudly chanted "Where is Roger?"
If the Patriots win Saturday night, Goodell would have one final chance to visit New England this season – the AFC Championship Game next Sunday.