BIDDEFORD, Maine — A Biddeford man delivered his message to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell through the air on Monday.
Richard Pate, a long-time Patriots fan and life-long Mainer, hired a pilot to fly from Biddeford towards Old Orchard Beach and straight over Roger Goodell’s house in Scarborough. A banner was attached to the plane that read, “Happy Birthday Tom Brady from Maine and Roger – G.”
Brady turned 38 today, and the message was meant to poke fun at the recent controversy regarding the quarterback’s four-game suspension.
Pate’s banners have become a rallying cry for New England fans after New York Jets fans had a banner flown over a Patriots’ practice that read, “Cheaters look up.” Over the weekend, Pate had a pilot fly over the commissioner’s house telling Goodell to “Jet back home to NY.”
Monday it’s all about showing Brady some love.
Pate says he’s not trying to spark controversy. It’s just a spontaneous show of support.
“This was just something to have a little fun with,” Pate said. “There is certainly a message, but as I’ve stated all along it wasn’t something that was contrived or a long time in the planning.”
Pate says from what he’s been told the commissioner’s office has had no comment regarding the banners. He says this will probably be the last one flown, but depending on how the legal process plays out with Brady’s four-game suspension, he could change his mind.
New England head coach Bill Belichick spoke Friday morning before practice but when asked if he noticed the banner being flown at practice, he paused and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
So he didn’t see or hear the plane, either?
“What plane?” he asked.