Advertisement

Patriots owner Robert Kraft 'unequivocally' supports Tom Brady, apologizes to fans

By Andrew V. Pestano
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) makes remarks as New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (R) listens along with the NFL Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots during a welcome ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) makes remarks as New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (R) listens along with the NFL Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots during a welcome ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., July 29 (UPI) -- Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, said Wednesday that he supports the suspended quarterback Tom Brady "unequivocally," as he also questioned the National Football League's evidence in the "deflategate" scandal.

The NFL on Tuesday upheld its four-game suspension and $1 million penalty on Brady for his role in the so-called "deflategate."

Advertisement

"The decision handed down by the league yesterday is unfathomable to me," Kraft said at a press conference in Foxborough, Mass. "The league still has no hard evidence of anybody doing anything to tamper with the psi level of footballs."

The NFL suspended Brady for the first four games of the 2015 season after it was determined the Patriots used underinflated footballs in the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts in January.

The NFL investigation determined Brady and other members of the Patriots were aware the footballs were not properly inflated.

RELATED NFL upholds Tom Brady's 'deflategate' suspension

In May, Kraft accepted a $1 million fine and other punishments determined by the NFL.

Advertisement

"I continue to believe and unequivocally support Tom Brady," Kraft added. "I first and foremost need to apologize to our fans because I truly believe that what I did in May, given the actual evidence of this situation and the league's history on discipline matters, would make it much easier for the league to exonerate Tom Brady. Unfortunately, I was wrong."

The Patriots face the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dallas Cowboys in its first four games of the coming season.

Danielle Haynes and Alex Butler contributed to this report.

Latest Headlines