Patriots fans arrange protest stunt at NFL headquarters
The NFL's corporate headquarters got some unwanted visitors on Tuesday.
A group from the Barstool Sports website was arrested for trespassing Tuesday afternoon after it invaded the lobby of the NFL's Manhattan office in full Patriots regalia, handcuffing themselves together and sitting down on the floor.
Before taking their protest to the lobby, the group of four stood outside wearing Tom Brady jerseys and other Patriots apparel, with signs reading "FREE BRADY," "FIRE GOODELL" and "THEY HATE US CAUSE THEY AIN'T US." On Monday, the league fined the Patriots $1 million, took away two draft picks and suspended Brady four games as punishment for deflating footballs before the AFC Championship Game against the Colts.
Police and security milled about as the protestors shouted anti-Roger Goodell epithets and declared, "This is how dictatorships start!" About 200 people looked on as police moved the group out of the center of the lobby and toward the door, where they cut off the original handcuffs and replaced them with police shackles.
NYPD officers then led the group outside and into a police van.
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Alex Putterman for Sports Illustrated
Alex Putterman for Sports Illustrated
Alex Putterman for Sports Illustrated
