Over a week has gone by since the New England Patriots shocked the world by coming back from a 28-3 deficit in Super Bowl 51. Since then, New England has been on a streak of payback against the league with most jokes, of course, falling on Roger Goodell. Then again, why wouldn't it? The commish made a mockery of the Patriots, suspended their star quarterback four games and then took away a first-round pick as well as a million dollars. Brady and the Patriots overcame all obstacles Roger put in front of them and still reigned as champions. So as the revenge tour comes to an end, it only seems right to poke a little fun against the man that started it all.
It didn't take long for the shots to be fired from the New England side. It started as soon as Goodell, after being viscously booed, handed the Lombardi to Robert Kraft. Kraft proceeds to tell the fans this was “By far the sweetest Super Bowl victory,” and there was “no explanation needed.” This was a fantastic speech by Kraft. Without directly saying anything about deflate-gate, he made a statement to the fans that they still are not happy about the punishment they were handed over a year ago. Watching Kraft run off the stage after handing over the Lombardi seemed pleasing enough, but the speech Rob Kraft delivered made things a little sweeter in New England.
Just when I thought the night of revenge was over, a Shield MRI commercial pops up on my television screen. By now we have all seen the famous commercial, shot before the Super Bowl was even played. Tom Brady pulling a fifth ring out of his pocket, followed by an exclamatory “Roger That” after the nurse said he would need a bigger locker for all of his rings. This might be the greatest story of them all. The face of the league's best franchise making a complete mockery of the commissioner of the league. This is something we have never seen in sports. An actual rivalry between a team and the head of the league. This assured everyone that Tom really is not over what the commissioner handed him. After months of waiting for revenge, he is finally getting a chance to speak out and Patriots fans are loving it.
The Patriots left Houston and were on their way back to Boston, but no one expected any controversy to happen before the parade. That is, until Matt Patricia, New England’s defensive coordinator steps off the plane wearing a “Goodell clown” shirt from Barstool Sports. The shirt itself would not have sparked as much controversy as it did if it wasn't for the person wearing it. The shirt has been made popular by many fans in the area, but no one expected a senior member of the New England Patriots to be wearing it. This is Belichick’s right-hand man. One of the main leaders of the team who controls the whole defense. This is not Brady vs Goodell anymore, this has been made personal to the whole New England Patriots organization.
Finally, parade day. Things got off to a quick start when everyone standing On Boylston and Tremont Street got a sign saying “Roger That.” One would have expected a few shots to be made at the commish, but not many people were expecting Danny Amendola to come out wearing a “Fire Goodell” hat. Only in the NFL do you find players and coaches wearing apparel that speaks out against their ultimate boss. Amendola wasn't directly calling Goodell a clown or saying he disagrees with his punishment. He is literally saying he wants Roger gone from the NFL, fired from his job. Julian Edelman, famous for taking fans signs and waving them proudly as he did in the 2014 parade, was at it again. Taking a sign of the same Goodell clown shirt that Matt Patricia wore just a day before, and waving it high for the whole crowd to see. The Patriots simply do not care anymore. They lost money, lost draft picks and lost their quarterback to start the season. There is simply not much else the commissioner can do now.
The greatest part about all of this is Roger Goodell actually came out and said he was disappointed and hurt by all of this. Not only have the Patriots made a mockery of the commissioner by winning the Super Bowl, but now by the following celebrations. It almost seems like a movie script. The evil villain has finally been defeated and now a week's worth of trolling has been put out by the team that overcame it all. While winning another Super Bowl is great for New England fans, it seems all Patriot fans can get behind the trolling of Roger Goodell.
