Patriots' Kraft Backtracks on Deflate-gate

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright May 19, 2015
All Rights Reserved.
                                     

              Speaking to the press at the start of the NFL’s Spring league meetings, 73-year-old New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft threw in the towel on fighting Commissioner Roger Goodell on the Deflate-gate scandal.  Accused of deflating footballs below the leaguer minimum of 12.5 psi in the Jan. 18 AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts, Kraft talked tough, insisting the team would appeal the NFL’s harsh $1 million fine, loss of a 2016 first round draft pick and another 2017 fourth round pick.  Speaking to the media Jan. 21, accused four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady emphatically denied any wrong doing with his coach Bill Belichick, insisting he knew “nothing.”  Before putting his foot down today, Kraft said he believed unconditionally that Brady told him the truth, despite Ted Wells’ May 6 report implicating the 37-year-old star.

             When Kraft spoke to the media Jan. 26, he came armed with scientific proof that weather could have caused the footballs to deflate, despite statements to the contrary by the NFL’s Ada, Ohio football manufacturer Wilson, insisting their balls don’t leak.  Kraft was so emphatic that he had some in the media duped that his future Hall-of-Fame quarterback couldn’t possibly have fibbed about deflating footballs.  “I didn’t alter the balls in any way,” Brady told the press Jan. 21 with Belichick at his side.  Brady didn’t admit to instructing locker room assistant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski to deflate the game-balls.  Patriots’ PR team defended both men, until, per the NFL’s urging, both were fired May 11.  Kraft’s decision today to not appeal is tantamount to an admission of guilt.  No person or organization falsely accused would accept the NFL’s punishment.

             Kraft seems content to let Brady continue his appeal with the National Football League’s Players Association, though it’s doubtful the NFL will change its punishment unless Brady produces all evidence requested by Wells.  Wells indicated in his May 6 report that Brady refused to release his email and text messaged exchanges with McNally and Jastremski.  “Believing in the strength of the partnership and the 32-teams, we have concentrated the power of adjudication in the office of the commissioner,” Kraft read a statement today.  Before, Kraft challenged Goodell’s impartiality, calling for an independent mediator to review the veracity of Wells’ report.  “Although I might disagrees with what was decided, I do have respect for the commissioner, and believe he’s doing what he perceives is in the best interest to the full 32 . . . “ said Kraft, making an abrupt about face.

             Kraft’s decision to not fight the NFL has to do with the preponderance of evidence contained in Wells’ report.  Saving face helps Kraft end the controversy but doesn’t change the body of evidence against the Patriots and Brady.  Kraft admitted today why he wants an end to Deflate-gate.  “In that spirit, I don’t want to continue the rhetoric that has gone on for the last four months.  I’m going to accept, reluctantly, what he has given to use.  And no continue this dialogue and rhetoric.  We won’t appeal,” Kraft told the press, refusing to answer questions.  Weighting the pros and cons of continuing his PR battle against the NFL, Kraft knows he’s on the losing end.  If he held the right cards and trusted his position, he wouldn’t accept a million dollar fine and loss of future draft picks.  No one standing truly falsely accused would give up until their good name was eventually cleared.

             Whatever Kraft thinks of Goodell or the NFL, accepting false accusations would be unthinkable for any business protecting its brand.  Kraft acquiesced to the league office because he realized something went on Jan. 18 at the AFC Championship game.  However trivial one thinks of deflating footballs, it broke league rules and prompted a cover-up by Brady and the Patriots.  Kraft’s decision to stop fighting was purely based on knowing and accepting the facts.  Appealing the decision would have forced the Patriots to let more facts become public.  Kraft’s decision to accept the punishment pulls the rug from underneath Brady’s Players’ Assn. appeal.  For Brady to win, he’d have to cough up a lot of incriminating information.  Attributing McNally’s texts about “deflator” to some crash weight-loss program insulted the intelligence of anyone following the story, further damaging Brady and the Patriots.

             Kraft’s about face spoke volumes about the credibility of the NFL’s Deflate-gate case against Brady and the Patriots.  All the trial balloons blew up in the Patriots’ face, forcing Kraft to wave the white flag.  Had Brady and the Patriots been truly falsely accused, lawsuits would have rained down like a New England snowstorm.  “The heart and soul and strength of the NFL is it’s a partnership of 32 teams,” Kraft told the media why he withdrew his Deflate-gage appeal.  Ending his appeal spoke volumes about the credibility of the 243-page Wells’ report that strongly pointed toward Brady and his locker room and equipments assistants in altering game-balls in the Jan. 18 AFC Championship Game.  Had there been any way out of the facts, Kraft would have taken it, including going to court or arbitration.  Kraft’s decision to end his appeal “reluctantly,” speaks volumes about what really happened.

 About The Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analysing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.


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