Roger Goodell isn't returning to Gillette Stadium for the AFC Championship Game between the Steelers and Patriots on Sunday night.
A league spokesman announced Wednesday that Goodell, who has not attended a game in Foxborough since the Deflategate scandal two years ago, will instead travel to Atlanta for the NFC Championship game between the Falcons and Packers.
Goodell's decision came as somewhat of a surprise since the Steelers and Patriots are the primetime matchup with a 6:40 p.m. kickoff, but he isn't a fan favorite in New England. Goodell was vilified by Patriots' fans for his decision in the Deflategate Scandal. That controversy began with underinflated footballs in the Patriots' AFC Championship Game victory over the Colts on Jan. 18, 2015 and ended with the decision of a federal appeals court to reinstate Tom Brady's four-game suspension last April.
Brady served the ban during the first four games of this season, but returned in time to throw two touchdown passes in the Patriots' 27-16 win over the Steelers on Oct. 23 at Heinz Field.
The four-time Super Bowl Champion is now a candidate for NFL MVP after throwing for 3,554 yards and 28 touchdowns in the regular season.
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