NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sported a kangaroo-themed winter coat during Netflix's broadcast of the San Francisco 49ers versus the Los Angeles Rams game in Melbourne. The garment, featuring a kangaroo face and ears atop its hood, was presented to Goodell on Thursday night in Australia, which corresponded to Thursday night in the United States.
Studio host Elle Duncan presented the custom coat to Goodell, noting it was a continuation of a Netflix tradition. "Roger you, quite famously, wore our Santa coat here on Netflix," Duncan said, referencing a previous instance where Goodell wore a Santa-themed coat. She explained that this time, Goodell was wearing the kangaroo coat "to represent the culture" and that it was designated for the game's Most Valuable Player.
"This is our kangaroo coat that the MVP of today's game will be wearing," Duncan told Goodell as he put on the coat. "And you get to christen it."
Duncan also made a jest about the subculture of people who dress in animal costumes, saying Netflix was attempting to "turn [Goodell] into a furry." The coat included a bicycle helmet inside the hood to help maintain the shape of the kangaroo face. Goodell appeared amused by the presentation, remarking, "Oh, you get a helmet with it too."
Kangaroos are indigenous to eastern Australia and are a widely recognized national symbol. The game marked the NFL's first regular season contest held in Australia.
During the broadcast, host Elle Duncan also drew attention for her attire, specifically her choice to wear black gloves with a sleeveless outfit. While some viewers commented on her fashion choice, others expressed appreciation for her presence, with one viewer calling her "one of the great current sports presenters."
Duncan joined Netflix in December after nearly a decade with ESPN, a move that surprised many at the time.