New England Patriots

Roger Goodell says he will be in New England for Patriots’ season opener

Published Mar. 28, 2017 9:17 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

New England Patriots fans will get their chance to let NFL commissioner Roger Goodell know how they feel in a matter of months. Goodell said Tuesday at the league meetings in Phoenix that he will be in attendance when the Patriots kick off their season in the annual Thursday night game against an undetermined opponent.

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When asked by the Boston Globe's Ben Volin if he knew exactly where he would be the night of Sept. 7, Goodell revealed his plans.

“I don’t, but I plan on being at the kickoff game,” Goodell said, via NESN.

Patriots fans haven't been the biggest supporters of the commissioner over the years, and the Deflategate controversy only added to the fans’ animosity toward Goodell. He reportedly hasn’t attended a game in New England since the 2014 AFC title game, the same one that sparked Deflategate.

Goodell attended the Falcons’ Divisional Round playoff game against the Seahawks and Atlanta’s NFC title game against the Packers last season and was on hand to give the Lombardi Trophy to the Patriots after their historic comeback in Super Bowl LI.