Kraft on Deflategate: 'I was Wrong to Put my Faith in the League'

By DANIEL LIBON (Patch Staff)

In a reversal of his decision to not pursue legal action against the NFL, New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft told the media Wednesday that he now regrets not challenging the punishment levied at the team for allegedly deflating footballs under the legal limit prior to the 2014 AFC Championship game..

“I first and foremost need to apologize to our fans, because I truly believe what I did in May, given the actual evidence of the situation and the league’s history on discipline matters, would make it much easier for the league to exonerate Tom Brady,” Kraft said.

Fined $1 million and the loss of draft picks, Kraft initially said he would fight the decision in May before backing off and accepting the punishment for the betterment of the league.

“I acted in good faith and was optimistic that by taking the actions I took the league would have what they wanted. I was willing to accept the harshest penalty in the history of the NFL for an alleged ball violation because I believed it would help exonerate Tom,” Kraft said. “I have come to the conclusion that this was never about doing what was fair and just.”

Kraft referred to Brady’s suspension as unfathomable, noting that the league regularly reduces suspensions during the appeals process, even when there is evidence that the offending party is guilty.

“The league’s handling of this entire process has been extremely frustrating and disconcerting. I will never understand why an initial erroneous report regarding the psi level of footballs was leaked by a source from the NFL a few days after the AFC Championship game was never corrected by those who had the correct information. For four months, that report cast aspersions and shaped public opinion,” he said.

The Patriots owner went on to criticize the emphasis of Brady’s cell phone in the appeal decision and called the move by the NFL to filed in court, “only a decision a lawyer would make.”

Originally, Kraft was not scheduled to speak to the media but took to the podium prior to coach Bill Belichick’s press conference. As expected, Belichick did not answer questions on the issue.

“I think Robert took care of the other situation. Tom had a statement. There’s nothing to talk about there,” the coach said.

Photo Credit: WHDH