Roger Goodell celebrates the Super Bowl's most valuable player in a morning-after news conference every season.
The NFL commissioner and the league's latest conquering hero, basking in the glow of the sporting world's biggest game with smiles and hugs, often a few jokes sprinkled in between.
Two years ago in downtown Phoenix, just hours following Super Bowl XLIX, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was lauded in that exact manner for his triumphant performance.
And yes, that included a rather awkward embrace between the three-time Super Bowl MVP and Goodell, even with the specter of Deflategate looming.
That was the last time Goodell and Brady were in the same room (and the Vince Lombardi Trophy, too) _ overlooking their presence in a New York federal courtroom months later, of course.
Brady and Goodell ended up fighting tooth and nail, the Deflategate debate raged on and on and on, ultimately leading to a four-game suspension that Brady served to start this season.
Goodell also docked New England a first-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft and 2017 fourth-round pick over under-inflated footballs at the AFC Championship Game in January 2015.
Now, here we are: The Patriots are back on the big stage.
So Goodell won't be able to stay away from Brady and the Patriots any longer. The commissioner attended the NFC championship game on Sunday, choosing a second straight weekend in Atlanta instead of taking in the AFC championship game festivities at Gillette Stadium between the Patriots and Steelers.
There were taunting chants of "Where is Roger?" from the New England crowd during Sunday night's victory over Pittsburgh.
The Patriots know where to find him next week in Houston.
Win the game and a Brady/Goodell reunion is inevitable. The Falcons are the only ones in the way.
Here's a look at other storylines heading into Super Bowl LI:
