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Kraft Blasts NFL For Handling Of Brady Suspension, Calls Decision "Unfathomable"

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft this morning called the NFL's decision to uphold Tom Brady's four-game suspension "unfathomable" and said the league's handling of the entire Deflategate situation has been "extremely frustrating and disconcerting." Saying he felt it was important to address the matter prior to the start of the team's training camp, Kraft noted it is "routine for discipline in the NFL to be reduced upon appeal." Kraft: "In the vast majority of these cases, there is tangible and hard evidence of the infraction for which the discipline is being imposed, and still the initial penalty gets reduced. Six months removed from the AFC Championship game, the league still has no hard evidence of anybody doing anything to tamper with the PSI levels of footballs. I continue to believe and unequivocally support Tom Brady." He apologized to fans for not proceeding with an appeal of the team's punishment saying, "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. Unfortunately, I was wrong.” More Kraft: "I've come to the conclusion that this was never about doing what was fair and just. Back in May, I had to make a difficult decision that I now regret. I tried to do what I thought was right. I chose not to take legal action. I wanted to return the focus to football. ... 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." He added, "I was wrong to put my faith in the league" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/29).

CONTINUING TO STAND BY BRADY: Kraft today said Brady is a "person of great integrity and is a great ambassador of the game, both on and off the field." He continued, "For reasons that I cannot comprehend, there are those in the league office who are more determined to prove that they were right rather than admit any culpability of their own or take any responsibility for the initiation of a process and ensuing investigation that was flawed. ... Given the facts, evidence and laws of science that underscore this entire situation, it is completely incomprehensible to me that the league continues to take steps to disparage one of its all-time great players and a man for whom I have the utmost respect. Personally, this is very sad and disappointing to me” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/29). The Patriots in a statement issued yesterday also accused the NFL of "attempting to destroy the reputation of one of its greatest players and representatives." The statement said, "We cannot comprehend the league’s position in this matter. Most would agree that the penalties levied originally were excessive and unprecedented" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/29).

MAKING A LOUD STATEMENT: CNBC’s David Faber said Kraft’s comments were “extraordinary,” as Kraft is one of the “most powerful” owners in the league and he is “going after his one-time ally” in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Faber: “He was defending his team and defending his players and going after Mr. Goodell.” Agent Drew Rosenhaus said, “It’s unprecedented really for one of the most respected owners in the NFL to go on the attack like this. It’s really unbelievable … but it’s warranted” (“Squawk on the Street,” CNBC, 7/29). ESPN's Hannah Storm called Kraft's speech a "searing indictment" of the league's decision and said, "At every step of the way, his feelings have escalated about this situation" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/29). NFL Network's Steve Wyche said Kraft feels "betrayed, clearly, basically attacking everything about the NFL handling of this." Wyche: "This up-and-down relationship between Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell, I think it’s down right now, clearly, from the strong statements that Kraft just made.” NFL Network’s Judy Battista noted the Goodell-Kraft relationship "was starting to mend a little bit" after Kraft did not fight the organizational penalties, but it clearly is in a "bad place today after this” (NFL Network, 7/29).

TWITTER REAX: The Boston Globe's Ben Volin wrote Kraft and the Patriots "have declared war" on the NFL. CNN's Rachel Nichols notes it is "hard to overstate how seismic it was for Robert Kraft, of all owners, to attack Roger Goodell like that." The Nation's Dave Zirin wrote, "Remember Bob Kraft was Goodell's chief defender during Rice video leak. If he didn't defend Goodell, there'd be a different commish today." Pro Football Talk's Darin Gantt wrote, "Bob Kraft saying 'I was wrong to put my faith in the league' might be the thing that’s written on Roger Goodell’s professional tombstone." ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss: "Theme of the last 24 hours: Integrity of the game (Patriots/Kraft/Brady) vs. integrity of the league office (Goodell/Pash/Vincent). It's on."

BRADY NOT HOLDING BACK, EITHER
: Brady on Facebook earlier this morning fired back about the NFL's decision, writing, "I did nothing wrong, and no one in the Patriots organization did either. Despite submitting to hours of testimony over the past 6 months, it is disappointing that the Commissioner upheld my suspension based upon a standard that it was 'probable' that I was 'generally aware' of misconduct. The fact is that neither I, nor any equipment person, did anything of which we have been accused. He dismissed my hours of testimony and it is disappointing that he found it unreliable." Brady also looked to clarify statements about his destroyed cell phone, writing, "I also disagree with yesterdays narrative surrounding my cellphone. I replaced my broken Samsung phone with a new iPhone 6 AFTER my attorneys made it clear to the NFL that my actual phone device would not be subjected to investigation under ANY circumstances. As a member of a union, I was under no obligation to set a new precedent going forward, nor was I made aware at any time during Mr. Wells investigation, that failing to subject my cell phone to investigation would result in ANY discipline" (FACEBOOK.com, 7/29).

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