Kraft wants apology from NFL if investigation clears Patriots
CHANDLER, Ariz. -- The New England Patriots' coaches and players won't be talking any more about Deflategate, Ballghazi or whatever you want to call the recent controversy over deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game that has carried over and is front and center on Super Bowl week.
They left the talking to owner Robert Kraft at the team's Super Bowl XLIX arrival news conference on Monday at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass. And he didn't mince words.
"I want to make it clear that I believe unconditionally that the New England Patriots have done nothing inappropriate in this process or in violation of NFL rules," Kraft said in prepared, though unscheduled, remarks that came before coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady took the podium. "Tom, Bill and I have been together for 15 years. They are my guys. They are part of my family. Bill, Tom and I have had many difficult discussions over the years, and I have never known them to lie to me. That is why I am confident in saying what I just said, and it bothers me greatly that their reputations and integrity, and by association that of our team, has been called into question this past week."
Kraft reiterated he has no issues with the idea of a league investigation, led by NFL executive vice president Jeff Pash and attorney Ted Wells, to examine how 11 of the Patriots' 12 game balls were allegedly inflated significantly below the NFL's requirements. Belichick on Saturday suggested the cold weather played a role.
"I am confident that this investigation will uncover whatever the facts were that took place last Sunday and the science of how game balls react to changes in the environment," Belichick said. "This would be in direct contrast to the public discourse which has been driven by media leaks as opposed to actual data and facts. Because of this, many jumped to conclusions and made strong accusations against our coach, quarterback and staff, questioning the integrity of all involved. "
If Wells' name sounds familiar, it is. He also led the NFL's investigation into the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal last season. According to The Associated Press, Wells said this investigation could be a lengthy one.
Despite cooperating with the NFL's investigation, Kraft expressed disappointment with how the league has handled it.
"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 Belichick and Tom Brady for what they have had to endure this past week," Kraft said. "I am disappointed in the way this entire matter has been handled and reported upon. We expect hard facts as opposed to circumstantial leaked evidence to draw a conclusion of this investigation."
Kraft did not take questions from reporters when his statement had concluded, however, Belichick and Brady were asked several questions about the controversy, to which they offered similar remarks.
"I appreciate the question," Belichick said. "I've spent quite a bit of time and had two lengthy press conferences about that. My attention is totally turned now and focused on the Seattle Seahawks and our game Sunday and that's where it's going to stay for this week."