Roger Goodell: ‘It Would Be an Honor’ to Hand Tom Brady the Super Bowl Trophy

Photo via AP

With the Patriots prepared to appear in their record ninth Super Bowl, and first since the Deflategate fiasco, many Pats fans are already fantasizing about that awkward moment when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, architect of the whole Kafkaesque ordeal, will be forced to hand Tom Brady the Lombardi Trophy.

But in an interview with Fox Sports Radio’s Colin Cowherd, Goodell said it “would be an honor.”

“Not for a second,” Goodell said when asked if it might be uncomfortable. “This is one of the great opportunities. We have two dominant teams playing in the Super Bowl. The Patriots and Falcons have both earned the opportunity to be there. They deserve it. And whoever wins that championship is gonna have to earn it because these are great times.”

Would Roger Goodell feel awkward handing Tom Brady the Super Bowl trophy?

Goodell: “Not for a second… It would be an honor” pic.twitter.com/vhpBzmEjTa

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 25, 2017

“I’m going to be thrilled. Tom Brady is one of the all-time greats. He has been for several years. He’s on the precipice of at least potentially winning his fifth Super Bowl ring. He’s an extraordinary player, great performer, and a sure-fire Hall of Famer, so it would be an honor,” Goodell said.

The Commish also explained his conspicuous absence from the AFC Championship Game, and denied that his choice to attend the NFC Championship between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, the last game played in the Georgia Dome, was due to any concerns for his safety in Foxboro.

“I try to get to as many stadiums as I can. But you know, we have two great games, and you’ve got to choose, and frankly, the focus should be on the players, the coaches, and the great game,” Goodell said. “And that’s the way it was this weekend and that’s the way it should be.”