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"I believe unconditionally that the New England Patriots did nothing wrong in this process that was in violation of NFL rules," Kraft said at the team's first media availability in Arizona.
During this year's playoffs, Ravens coach John Harbaugh accused the Patriots of being deceitful with some alignments on offense. The NFL exonerated Kraft's team of any wrongdoing.
"I'm disappointed in the way this entire matter has been handled and reported upon. We expect hard facts rather than circumstantial leaked evidence to drive the conclusion of this investigation."
A conclusion Kraft is certain will occur.
"They are part of my family. Bill, Tom and I have had many difficult discussions over the years. I've never known them to lie to me. That's why I'm confident in saying what I just said.
In an unscheduled statement, Kraft strongly defended his team's actions and integrity Monday night.
"If the (Ted) Wells investigation is not able to definitively determine that our organization tampered with the air pressure in the footballs, I would expect and hope the league would apologize to our entire team, and in particular to coach (Bill) Belichick and Tom Brady, for what they've had to endure this week," Kraft added, at times sounding angry.
But moving away from the deflated footballs theme will be particularly difficult on Tuesday, which is media day, when just about any question has been fair game in the past.
"I,Wholesale Jerseys 2018, and our entire organization," he said,Cheap Stitched MLB Jerseys, "believe strongly in the integrity of the game and the rules of fair play are properly, equitably and fairly enforced."
When asked if he was upset by the accusations and jokes of which he was the subject,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, Brady said: "I've moved past those initial feelings and I want to move forward."
Now, Kraft has taken the offensive.
"It bothers me greatly their reputations and integrity — and by association that of our team — has been called into question this week."
"Tom, Bill and I have been together for 15 years. They are my guys," said Kraft,NFL Jerseys China Online, who has three Super Bowl titles and three other trips to the big game since 2001.
The NFL has said evidence shows the Patriots used underinflated footballs during the first half of the AFC title game victory over Indianapolis. The league is still determining why the balls were underinflated.
Belichick and Brady followed Kraft to the podium, but basically left any comments on the investigation to their boss.
CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft demanded an apology from the league once the Patriots are found to be not guilty of breaking any rules regarding using under-inflated footballs in the AFC championship game.
So Kraft came out swinging before then with a speech tinged with emotion — and fire,Discount NFL Jerseys.
This hardly is the first time the Patriots have been under such scrutiny. Most famously was 2007, their undefeated regular season. Revelations that New England videotaped New York Jets coaches' signals during a game cost Belichick a $500,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping,000 fine, and the team was fined $250,000 and stripped of its 2008 first-round draft choice by the NFL.
NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash and Ted Wells of the law firm of Paul Weiss are leading the probe. Wells was the investigator in the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal and has said the current investigation could last a while. |
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