New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced Tuesday the club is willing to accept the penalties handed down by the National Football League in the “Deflategate” scandal.
Speaking at the NFL owners meetings, Kraft said it is time to move on because the fiasco had already taken up too much of everyone’s time.
“I don’t want to continue the rhetoric that’s gone on the past four months,” said Kraft. “I’m going to accept, reluctantly, what (NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell) has given to us and not continue this dialogue and rhetoric and we won’t appeal.
“I know a lot of Patriot fans are going to be disappointed in that decision but I hope they trust my judgement and know that I really feel at this point in time that taking this off the agenda is the best thing for the New England Patriots, our fans and the NFL and I hope you all can respect that.”
The NFL slapped the Patriots with a $1 million fine and docked them two draft picks following the probe of lawyer Ted Wells, whose report found the team violated rules and failed to cooperate with the investigation over improperly inflated footballs.
Quarterback Tom Brady, a four-time Super Bowl champion, was also suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season after Wells found it was likely that Brady was “at least generally aware” that team equipment personnel deliberately deflated footballs below league minimums before the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts in January.
Kraft reiterated Tuesday that he thinks the Wells’ report was unjust and that the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
“I don’t think anyone can believe that after four months of the AFC Championship Game, we are still talking about air pressure and the PSI in footballs,” he said.
Kraft didn’t discuss Brady’s suspension. The players union has filed an appeal on behalf of Brady, who has denied any involvement.