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Robert Kraft: NFL Owes Patriots Apology If No Wrongdoing Found

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft made a "surprise appearance at the team's opening news conference" for Super Bowl XLIX and said that the NFL "owed them an apology if its investigation over deflated footballs doesn't uncover wrongdoing." Kraft said, "If the Wells investigation is not able to definitively determine that our organization tampered with the air pressure on the footballs, I would expect and hope that the league would apologize to our entire team, and in particular, coach (Bill) Belichick and Tom Brady for what they have had to endure this past week. ... I am disappointed in the way this entire matter has been handled and reported upon" (ESPN.com, 1/26).

USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes Kraft "pretty much dropped the mic" after his "passionate four-minute prepared statement." BOSTON HERALD's Dan Ventura: Kraft "put on a performance for the ages." Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel tweeted, "Kraft says he expects apology from NFL if Pats cleared. Franchise keeps coming after this investigation hard. Impressively bold." Newsday's Erik Boland: "Not sure what is more shameful: Bob Kraft's embarrassing rant or the NFL pretending the inflated balls investigation requires several weeks."

The network morning shows all reported on Deflategate, with “CBS This Morning” airing a report 16 minutes into the telecast that included video excerpts from Kraft. ABC’s “GMA” aired their report 50 minutes in. NBC’s “Today” ran a report one hour, eight minutes in with the headline “Patriots Owner Demands Apology,” with video of Kraft (THE DAILY). ABC’s Robin Roberts said Kraft “had some very stern words” (“GMA,” ABC, 1/27). CBS’ Jan Crawford: “Kraft is furious at how things have unfolded” (“CBS This Morning,” 1/27).

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