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Kraft Explains Why He Addressed Deflategate, But Will That Impact Relationship With Goodell?

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft yesterday said that he had "debated speaking publicly" about Deflategate until he flew to Glendale for the start of Super Bowl XLIX festivities, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN BOSTON. Kraft said, "I'm a fan at heart. I want to enjoy this game, and I want to make things clear how we do things. I believe in my guys and we're going to have a fun time the rest of this week and have a great game Sunday." Kraft said that he "received positive feedback internally about his remarks, but didn't want to detail what was said" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 1/27). Kraft yesterday said that he "went back and forth for hours about whether to make the statement he did on Monday." Kraft said he ultimately decided to do so because, "Instinct told me it was the right thing to do." In San Diego, Kevin Acee writes what makes Kraft "quite possibly the NFL's best owner is that the statement could also apply to his being a fan" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/28). ESPN’s Bill Polian said Kraft was “trying to make sure that he closed the door for his team so they didn’t have to answer any more questions.” Kraft has a "really close relationship with Tom Brady, and I think it came through that he was really standing up for Tom Brady” (“PTI,” ESPN, 1/27). NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said, "Not only does Robert Kraft step up to the podium, but he throws down the gauntlet like we've never seen." Rapoport: "I guarantee that all of his players watching, they all stood up and said, 'Wow, this guy is on our team. This is our guy'" ("Super Bowl Live," NFL Network, 1/27).

CALLING OUT THE LEAGUE
: THE MMQB's Peter King wrote Kraft in his remarks "was speaking to Park Avenue" and the league office. This was "doubling down on the league, challenging the NFL" (MMQB.SI.com, 1/27). ESPN’s Bomani Jones: “He told Roger Goodell, ‘Look, I'm one of these guys that’s had your back for the longest and you’re outing me through this one. If you're wrong, you better give me my name back in this’” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 1/27). In Boston, Karen Guregian writes Kraft "had reached his boiling point" when he made his statement Monday and he "had to speak up." Kraft prior to that "had been silent." Guregian: "He was looking at the fans ... who want to enjoy a Super Bowl, and not this constant attack of the team’s integrity. Kraft was also considering what was best for his team, and his brand" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/28). 

THE END OF A BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP? GQ's Gabriel Sherman wrote it was "stunning" to see Kraft make a "defiant, finger-wagging demand that Roger Goodell and the NFL apologize." For Goodell, Kraft's "public offensive signals a potentially troubling twist" in their relationship. Kraft and Goodell's bond has "become a subject of intense controversy after photos surfaced of Goodell socializing at Kraft's house on the eve of the AFC Championship game." While reporting his article about the issues the NFL is dealing with this season, Sherman notes he heard "many stories of Kraft receiving preferential treatment." One exec noted how Goodell "seemed to jump to answer his cell whenever Kraft called." The exec said, "Sure there's special rules. It's the unwritten secret." A source close to Kraft said that he was "tired of being Goodell's defender in public" (GQ.com, 1/27). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said, “So much for the buddy-buddy inseparable relationship ... because he sort of put Roger Goodell on notice.” Wilbon: “Kraft did what you do when you believe in your people.” ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said Goodell is the person "who is in the most jeopardy here," because Kraft is "very well-respected and a very important owner." Kornheiser: "They had been tight before. If this comes down unfairly in some way on Robert Kraft, the other owners are going to say, ‘Whoa, what is Roger Goodell doing here?’" Wilbon: “This seems to me to be potentially something that could hurt Roger Goodell more than anything else that has happened this year because there was solidarity. If he splits with Robert Kraft, as influential as Kraft is, then Goodell is in more trouble than he’s been all year” (“PTI,” ESPN, 1/27). In Boston, Christopher Gasper writes Kraft "has to be uncomfortable watching his franchise and his league engage in a game of chicken with their reputations over deflated footballs." Either Kraft’s team or Goodell is "going to take another legacy body blow with the NFL’s investigation." There can be "only one winning side in Deflategate and Kraft loses something either way" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/28).

ALL APOLOGIES
: In N.Y., Gary Myers writes Kraft has "done a wonderful job in his 20 years owning the Patriots." But he "acts as if the NFL is wrong to investigate the Patriots after the Colts accused them of cheating." Myers: "He's way off" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/28). ESPN’s J.A. Adande said Kraft’s comments were “misguided." Adande: "It's arrogant, really. Where does he get off saying the NFL should apologize for doing its job? It would be reprehensible if the NFL didn't investigate this fully.” Adande: “This is actually the one time where he would better off blaming the messenger … (and) demanded an apology from the media.” Denver Post columnist Woody Paige said Kraft was “so belligerent” in his comments that he is "taking the wrong step here” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 1/27). In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel writes, "Sorry, Kraft. Righteous indignation won’t fly during this Super Bowl Week." That is "reserved for those who are righteous," or at least "those who have left open the possibility." Tramel: "That’s not the Patriots. ... Apology? When if Kraft going to apologize to the league?" (OKLAHOMAN, 1/28). In Indianapolis, Gregg Doyel writes if Kraft "thought he was sending a message, setting a tone that this topic would be off-limits the rest of the week, he thought wrong." The media yesterday "weren't satisfied by Kraft's arrogance" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/28).

NOTHING TO SEE HERE
: USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero writes if Deflategate was supposed to turn Super Bowl Media Day "into a wilder scene than usual ... it fell a little flat." Patriots coach Bill Belichick "deflected questions," while Brady said that he had "no reaction to reports about the NFL's investigation" (USA TODAY, 1/28). ESPN's Steve Levy yesterday said, "There was no doubt about the strategy. It was to get out in front of the issue before you got here and then try to put it to bed once you got here" (ESPN, 1/27). NFL Network's Rapoport: "The media people here had no choice but to move on to football questions. The more that we ask and the more that they shut down, there's going to be no choice but to say, 'Alright, there's a game on Sunday.' People want to talk about it, we have to talk about it,' and that is what the Patriots came in here to do. From the looks of it, they accomplished it." NFL Network's Michael Silver said, "There are two more availability sessions the next two days and then a coach's press conference on Friday. So, if there are new developments, as there were yesterday, the questions are going to come fast and furious" ("Super Bowl Live," NFL Network, 1/27). In Boston, Chad Finn notes Deflategate "was scarcely a topic at Media Day -- Brady was not asked about it until 35 minutes into his session" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/28).

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