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Goodell: 'It would be an honor' to hand Lombardi Trophy to Brady

Hannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Roger Goodell may be looking to mend some fences with the New England Patriots and Tom Brady ahead of Super Bowl LI.

Asked whether it would be uncomfortable to hand Brady the Lombardi Trophy if the Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons, Goodell answered "not for a second" on Wednesday's edition of "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd. The commissioner later said, "It would be an honor."

He praised Brady as "one of the all-time greats."

Goodell also addressed his lack of appearances at the Patriots' playoff games this season, saying he didn't want to draw focus.

"We had two great games," Goodell said, according to Kevin Duffy of masslive.com. "I was in Boston two years ago for the divisional and the championship games. I try to get to as many stadiums as I can. We have two great games, and you've got to choose. Frankly, the focus should be on the players."

Goodell described his relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft as "healthy." Kraft was one of the league's biggest supporters before "Deflategate," but has been highly critical of the way the NFL handled the scandal.

"I wouldn't be doing my job if somebody wasn't unhappy with a decision you make," Goodell said. "Robert and I can disagree about certain things. We have a healthy relationship. But that's true with any owner ..."

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