HOUSTON (WHDH) – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that the Deflategate saga has not affected his relationship with the New England Patriots and that he would welcome an invite to attend a game at Gillette Stadium.
More than two years after Deflategate began, Goodell said he has no regrets about his handling of the situation.
“We had a violation. We went through a process, we applied the discipline in accordance with our process,” Goodell said. “It was litigated, as you know, extensively, and validated by the second circuit court of appeals. “We’re moving on from that.”
Goodell said he is also moving on from the idea that he’s at odds with the Patriots.
“I would tell you that it’s not awkward at all for me,” Goodell said of his relationship with the organization.
“I don’t expect for one second that people will agree with every decision I make or we make as a league,” Goodell said
Goodell said he is not avoiding New England or Patriots fans.
“If I’m invited back to Foxborough, I’ll come,” Goodell said.
Goodell also addressed his relationship with Robert Kraft, who sat front-and-center for the address. He said differences in opinion don’t necessarily become deal-breakers.
“We disagreed about that, but I continue to respect, and admire Robert, Jonathan, the entire organization. They are an extraordinary organization and they’re extraordinary people, in my view, Goodell said. I have a very deep and close relationship to them, but that doesn’t change that we have to compartmentalize things that we disagree on.”