On the eve of the 2024-25 NFL season, league commissioner Roger Goodell made a surprise appearance at the US Open in Queens, sharing the spotlight with none other than tennis legend Roger Federer during the Quarterfinals. Goodell, known for his role as the face of the NFL, is no stranger to attention wherever he goes, and his presence at such a high-profile event naturally sparked some lighthearted humor online.
As soon as the commissioner was spotted at the event, the official US Open account on X (formerly known as Twitter) couldn’t resist making a joke at Goodell’s expense. In reference to the long-running internet meme that the NFL is “scripted,” the account playfully tweeted that Goodell was “taking a break from last-minute scriptwriting” ahead of the NFL season kickoff on Thursday.
The post quickly gained traction, drawing a flood of comments and further jokes about the “NFL script.”
For those unfamiliar, the “NFL script” meme is a tongue-in-cheek theory that suggests the league’s outcomes are predetermined, a concept that originated from playful fans online and has since taken on a life of its own. Goodell, often the target of criticism and satire, has become a key figure in the joke, with fans frequently ribbing him about his supposed role as the “scriptwriter” of the NFL’s biggest moments.
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But script jokes aside, let’s take a moment to appreciate something else about Goodell: the man’s got style, or as some might say, “drip.” At the US Open, Goodell was the picture of relaxed confidence, casually holding a stemless wine glass in one hand with the other tucked neatly in his pocket. His ensemble—a tailored blazer draped over a polo shirt—offered a peek at a luxury watch, subtly reminding everyone of his estimated net worth of $250 million and his yearly salary of over $63 million. It was a quiet flex, but one that didn’t go unnoticed.
As social media users speculated on what Goodell and Federer, two titans of their respective sports, might have been discussing, the jokes continued to flow in. One user quipped, “Dang, this might be your last tweet,” referencing the boldness of the US Open’s humorous jab at the commissioner. Another chimed in, “You funny for this, you need a raise,” applauding the social media team for their wit. The lighthearted exchange became yet another example of how social media has transformed into a place for fans to interact directly—and often humorously—with major sports organizations.
The presence of figures like Goodell and Federer at the US Open adds an extra layer of star power to an already prestigious event. For Goodell, it was likely a brief respite before the whirlwind of the NFL season, where he will once again be in the spotlight, navigating the complexities of America’s most popular sport. For Federer, who retired from professional tennis but remains an iconic figure, the event was another chance to enjoy the game he helped define, while also rubbing elbows with fellow sports elites.
As the internet buzzed with commentary, the lighthearted jabs and admiration for Goodell’s style reminded fans that even the most scrutinized sports figures are still people—ones who enjoy wine, tennis, and a good laugh. While Goodell will soon return to the often contentious world of the NFL, where every decision is dissected, for one night, he was just a fan enjoying a tennis match with a fellow Roger, and perhaps plotting the “script” for the upcoming NFL season—or not.
With the NFL season set to kick off in just a few days, fans will soon shift their attention back to the gridiron.
But for now, Roger Goodell’s unexpected appearance at the US Open—and the playful “scriptwriting” jokes that followed—provided a fun and lighthearted distraction ahead of the highly anticipated season.
