Some New England Patriots fans have moved on from Deflategate. Others, not so much.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made headlines by dropping in on the Patriots’ Thursday night preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, making his first visit to Gillette Stadium since the infamous 2014 AFC Championship Game. It was a largely uneventful visit for the commissioner, except for one picture, posted by NFL public relations’ Brian McCarthy, that showed Goodell posing with a trio of Pats fans.
Great night for a game. @nflcommish will be back up for Kickoff events & attend @chiefs vs @Patriots on 9/7 pic.twitter.com/mKxMI90k5T
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) August 11, 2017
Seems harmless, right?
One would think so, but apparently there are legions of fans still salty about the way the NFL treated the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady during Deflategate.
These three losers should never be allowed to watch a @Patriots again. @stoolpresidente
— 🍕 (@DoYourJobSix) August 11, 2017
Why would any Patriots fan do that?
— FL Home Inspector (Graikos-OldGamer) (@Wvicaire) August 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/logansdad34/status/895809328233447424
This is what real fans do (over Goodells house in Maine today and yesterday) pic.twitter.com/xkCaWani4r
— Stacy B 🏈🎭⚾️ (@StacySoxPats) August 11, 2017
Picture of 4 guys who are no longer welcome in New England
— P Senger 🇺🇸 (@coachsenger34) August 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/chrischeet/status/895835438702882818
These three should be denied admission to Gilette for life. Sad. Traitors.
— DesmondPieri (@DesmondPieri) August 11, 2017
these kids are the worst…ban em from New England
— D_Flo (@_D_Flo) August 11, 2017
Whereas many were quick to condemn the three fans, others think the picture either was staged, or not real at all.
They're ESPN employees or bodyguards
— Eric (@eric02125) August 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/MarcusPapas/status/895809097437782016
https://twitter.com/So_Atrocious/status/895809722846244864
https://twitter.com/bbens58/status/895809331517640704
Does Goodell really think any legitimate Patriots fan would believe a Pats fan would pose for a picture with him? Nice try, NFL propaganda.
— Maria D. (@mariajdelano) August 11, 2017
When was this photo taken? If it was taken before 2016 – it is complete NFL propaganda bullshit. Why would the NFL blatantly lie? (We know.)
— Obnoxious Boston Fan (@realOBF) August 11, 2017
Kid is definitely planted. He's wearing a color rush jersey
— Sean (@smcd8316) August 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/p0ck3ts_/status/895812497801789441
You’d think the Patriots’ two Super Bowl championships since Deflategate would have diminished the rage inside New England’s fan base, but that’s clearly not the case.
And as difficult as this picture is for Patriots supporters to look, there was actual play on the field Thursday night that was arguably even more cringe-worthy.
