PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell visits SiriusXM NFL Radio during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Roger Goodell says he’s planning to attend the season-opening game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro to see the Chiefs play the Patriots.

The commissioner of the National Football League should be expected to normally attend any and all major functions of the sport he leads, given that, well, it’s his job. But given the amount of drama and fan frustrations with Roger Goodell in recent months and years, there was initially some doubt as to whether or not Goodell would attend the 2017 regular season opener in Foxboro. However, Goodell erased any doubts when asked recently about his plans, saying he will be there.

Roger Goodell on if he’s still planning on going to Foxboro for opener: “Yeah.” Any concerns, based on how Pats fans feel? “No, not at all.” — Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) July 31, 2017

Goodell has drawn the ire of Patriots fans for some time, but especially for his role in Deflategate. His ultimate suspension of starting quarterback and franchise icon Tom Brady for four games felt over the top, and last year Super Bowl victory was paraded as a sort of in-your-face to Goodell. Yet Goodell appears ready and willing to ignore any potential jeers or boos from fans, and security will certainly be tight around Goodell.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be the visiting team on the day the Patriots open the season, and the contest should be a great game pitting the top two powers in the AFC from the 2016 regular season. Unfortunately the two teams never met in the playoffs due to an upset loss for the Chiefs at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The two teams open the 2017 season on Thursday, September 7 at 8:30 p.m.