1 of 3 | New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says his relationship with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will never be the same after Deflategate. File Photo Katie McMahon/UPI |
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New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says his relationship with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will never be the same after the league's handling of the Deflategate scandal.
Kraft had a once-close partnership with Goodell until the commissioner handed down a four-game suspension that quarterback Tom Brady served at the beginning of this season along with a $1 million fine to the team and the forfeiture of a first-round pick in 2016 and a fourth-round choice in this year's draft.
The Patriots and Brady were accused of deflating footballs prior to AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts in January 2015.
"I don't know if it will ever be the same, but in order to do what is best for the Patriots franchise long term, I believe it is best to compartmentalize and move on," Kraft told Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. "Like our quarterback, I am trying to remain positive and look to the future rather than dwell on the past. As a native New Englander, that's easier said than done, but I am doing my best to put the matter behind me."
The 75-year-old Kraft has been the biggest defender of Brady's reputation.
Including the playoffs, Brady has thrown 33 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season after sitting out the first four games.
"We've developed a very close relationship," Kraft said of his quarterback. "We truly are like family.
"He's a very positive person, and did it give him a little extra motivation? Sure. The whole thing, yeah, I think it was extra motivation."
Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and Brady have a chance to win their fifth title on Sunday in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons, who have never won a Super Bowl.
"I've tried to create a culture and value system that is right for us." Kraft told the Daily News. "When you keep something going on this long, for me it's important to minimize division from within. Bill and I have been able to establish a very good private relationship."
Goodell hasn't attended a Patriots' game at Gillette Stadium since before Deflategate.
Fans chanted "Roger, Roger, Roger" and "Where is Roger" at Gillette Stadium during the Patriots' 36-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 39-year-old Brady threw for 384 yards and three touchdowns.
If New England defeats Atlanta in the Super Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston, Goodell could have an awkward moment handing the trophy to Kraft.
"I wouldn't be doing my job if somebody wasn't unhappy with a decision that you make or where you're doing it," Goodell told Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd last week. "Robert and I can disagree about things. We have a healthy respect for one another, but that's true with any owner. That doesn't affect my relationship or the fact we work together to try to make the NFL better. That's the most important thing going for us. I can't agree with everybody at every moment and I shouldn't. ... It's not personal. It's professional and it's to make sure we're doing everything to protect the great game we have and to promote it."
