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The New England Patriots handed out colored signs along with instructions to fans attending Thursday night's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.

It was clear something was going to be spelled out in the crowd. Below was the result.

Fans were asked to hold the signs, which featured eye holes, up to their faces right after the national anthem. Everyone seemed to be on the same page -- they "did their job," as the Patriots would say -- and the "Super Bowl XLIX Champs" crowd display created a nice touch after New England unveiled its fourth Super Bowl banner earlier in the pregame ceremony.

There was a lot of buzz surrounding the signs Thursday afternoon, as some wondered what the cards would spelled out. The Patriots took the high road, though.

There were no cheap shots at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who didn't attend Thursday's game, or anything related to quarterback Tom Brady having his four-game Deflategate suspension vacated.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@SNFonNBC