Patriots Owner Robert Kraft: 'I Was Wrong To Put My Faith In The League'
(CBS/AP) A day after NFL commissioner upheld Tom Brady's four-game suspension for his role in the team using underinflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game last January, Patriots owner Robert Kraft blasted the league for its handling of the case.
Kraft made a surprise appearance at a scheduled press conference for coach Bill Belichick, apologizing to New England fans and expressing regret for not appealing the NFL's penalties for the franchise -- a fine of $1 million and docking two draft picks.
Kraft expressed astonishment at Brady's four-game suspension and it being upheld, indicating he thought the team's penalties would lessen the burden on Brady.
"I was wrong to put my faith in the league," Kraft said. "Given the facts, evidence and laws of science that underscored this entire situation, it is completely incomprehensible to me that the league continues to take step to disparage one of its all-time great players for whom I have the upmost respect. This is personally very disappointing to me.
"There are those in the league office who are more determined to prove they were right rather than admit any culpability."
Kraft added that the league's claim that Brady trashed his cellphone to destroy evidence was just the latest in a series of statements and leaks designed to impugn the integrity of Brady and the team.
"I have come to the conclusion that this was never about doing what was fair and just," Kraft said.
The NFL players' union plans to appeal Brady's suspension in federal court.
