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Goodell plans to attend Patriots' regular-season opener

Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

For the first time since handing Tom Brady a four-game suspension over his role in Deflategate, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will attend a New England Patriots game in Foxboro when the team plays the 2017 regular-season opener, he told reporters Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

As is customary for the defending Super Bowl champion, the Patriots will play the first game of the regular season on the Thursday night prior to the first Sunday of the 2017 season.

Goodell opted not to attend either of the Patriots' playoff games, choosing instead to visit Atlanta for the Falcons' final two games in the Georgia Dome. He has not attended a game in New England since the 2014 postseason

The commissioner had been good friends with Patriots owner Robert Kraft prior to doling out the punishment.

Goodell and Brady appeared to make nice at the Super Bowl MVP press conference February 6, but did not shake hands.

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