Patriots fans troll Goodell with 'clown nose' t-shirts, towels

It's no secret that New England Patriots fans aren't very fond of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and that was on full display Thursday before the club's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The ill-feelings towards Goodell stem from the suspension of Tom Brady to start last season, and with the commissioner appearing at Foxboro Stadium, the popular website Barstool Sports handed out t-shirts and towels of his face adorned with a clown nose.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy told Sports Illustrated that the idea behind the shirt is simple.

"All Patriot fans despise Goodell," Portnoy said. "It's not like time has healed wounds."

#OperationClownFace well under way at @barstoolsports tailgate. pic.twitter.com/LRznuTYM1p

- The MMQB (@theMMQB) September 7, 2017

Amazing. #OperationClownFace pic.twitter.com/XUCjNmY89Y

- Kmarko (@Kmarkobarstool) September 7, 2017

Thursday isn't the first time that the image of Goodell with a clown nose has appeared, as Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia wore one of the t-shirts upon landing back in Boston after the Super Bowl win last year.

@KatteyOrtizTV @TVTEDDY Newsworthy? Patricia's shirt. pic.twitter.com/LGY1p1YOjN

- Brad Mitchell (@bradmitchell06) February 6, 2017

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