Kraft “I Was Wrong to Put my Faith in the League”
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Patriots owner and CEO Robert Kraft addressed the media in a surprise press conference prior to Bill Belichick's scheduled press conference on Wednesday morning at Gillette Stadium.
"I want to apologize to the fans of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady. I was wrong to put my faith in the league," said Kraft in a statement that lasted about seven minutes. Kraft did take any questions.
Robert Kraft accepted the league's punishment of the Patriots back in May. Those punishments included the loss of a 2016 first round pick, the loss of a 2017 fourth round pick and a fine of $1 million.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Back in May I had to make a difficult decision that I now regret. I acted in good faith and was optimistic that by taking the actions I took that the league would get 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.
On Tom Brady
"I continue to believe in and unequivocally support Tom Brady," Kraft said. "Tom Brady is a person of great integrity and is a great ambassador of the game on and off the field. Yet, for reasons I can't comprehend there are those in the league office more determined to prove they were right than admitting culpability of their own or take any responsibility for the initiation of a process and ensuing investigation that was flawed," said Kraft.
Kraft also called the created headline of Tom Brady destroying his cell phone "erroneous," saying "We provided the NFL with every cell phone they requested, even Bill Belichick."
Kraft Concluded
Kraft concluded his statement by saying "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."
Bill Belichick Addresses Media
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick took the podium shortly after Bob Kraft but did not address the Brady suspension himself. Saying in his opening statement "Robert took care of the other situation, Tom had his statement so there is nothing to talk about there."
When asked about the quarterback situation and the amount of reps that backup Jimmy Garoppolo would get, Belichick answered "All the players out there will practice...this is training camp, this is where everyone gets reps."
Belichick spoke for only five minutes.
The New England Patriots are set to begin training camp on Thursday at 9:15 a.m. The practice is free and open to the public.
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