Sports

Fans Were Shocked To Find Out Why Roger Goodell Was At Deion Sanders’ Final Game With Jackson State

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The Celebration Bowl, played each year since 2015 to determine the best Historically Black College or University football team in the country, has perhaps never seen as much hype as it did this year.

The game pits the champions of the MEAC and SWAC (the two most prominent NCAA D1 conferences for HBCUs) against one another.

But this year’s game was special. It also served as the final game in the Jackson State coaching career of Deion Sanders. Sanders left the Tigers to become the new head coach at Colorado. Jackson State entered the game undefeated and as a 10-point favorite. Though it ultimately ended in tears for the Tigers, with North Carolina Central claiming a 41-34 victory in overtime.

While the surprising upset made headlines, it wasn’t the biggest headline surrounding the game. Those belonged to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who was on the Jackson State sideline supporting Sanders and the Tigers, though fans couldn’t figure out why.

As it turns out, it made all the sense in the world.

Roger Goodell Attends Celebration Bowl To Support His Nephew

Many assumed Goodell was in attendance to support Sanders, as the two are friends. But it turns out he was there to support someone else: his nephew Charlton.

As it turns out, Roger Goodell actually has a nephew who goes to Jackson State.

No, no — seriously. This is not a bit. He really has a nephew who goes to Jackson State. And, yes. his nephew is Black. His name is Charlton Goodell, and he’s a Sophomore at Jackson State.

Roger gave him a big hug on the sideline. You should recognize that hug, too. It’s the same hug he gives to the No. 1 draft pick every year. Clearly, Charlton is No. 1 in his heart. – via USA Today

Charlton, or Charlie as Goodell calls him, is the adopted son of his young brother. He previously spoke at length about their relationship with FOX Sports’ Emmanuel Acho.

If you’re surprised to learn this news, don’t be embarrassed. Everyone on Twitter was as well.

https://twitter.com/RobIsRandomAF_6/status/1604174093959532544?s=20&t=X-qKKgLhOR68jdK9V_mfmQ

You really do learn something new every day.