DeflateGate: Patriots Owner Robert Kraft's Official Statement

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft made it known that the team would accept the penalty levied by the league for the DeflateGate ordeal. Things might have changed. He will not be standing down. Here's his official statement:

Despite our conviction that there was no tampering with footballs, it was our intention to accept any discipline levied by the league. Today’s punishment, however, far exceeded any reasonable expectation. It was based completely on circumstantial rather than hard or conclusive evidence.

We are humbled by the support the New England Patriots have received from our fans throughout the world. We recognize our fans’ concerns regarding the NFL’s penalties and share in their disappointment in how this one-sided investigation was handled, as well as the dismissal of the scientific evidence supported by the Ideal Gas Law in the final report.

Tom Brady has our unconditional support. Our belief in him has not wavered.

Kraft clearly wasn't expected a penalty of this degree. New England is going to fight back. Kraft is leading the charge. Happy off-season, y'all.