Robert Kraft: Patriots will always have Tom Brady's back
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has long been vocal about his support of quarterback Tom Brady throughout the "Deflategate" scandal, going as far as to call out commissioner Roger Goodell and the league for their actions against Brady and his team.
Kraft addressed Patriots fans at a draft party on Friday and said he and the organization will continue to back Brady after his four-game suspension was reinstated by an appeal court on Monday.
"He's a young man who is an exceptional person with the highest level of integrity," Kraft said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "I feel so privileged to have Tom in my life and I truly view him as a son. With that in mind, I want to make two things crystal clear about the ongoing situation with the NFL.
"Number one, there is no finer ambassador for the game of football, and the New England Patriots, than Tom Brady. We always have had, and will continue to have, Tom's back. Especially when he's being treated unfairly. He knows that. All the decisions that this organization and I personally have made throughout this ordeal have been focused on putting Tom in the best possible position for success.
"Number two, I have been in constant communication with Tom over the past 16 months and we've had numerous conversations this past week. We are both on the same page and he knows exactly where my allegiances, and the total team's (allegiances) are, relative to the extremely unfair discipline that he has been subjected to.
"I share in our fans' anger and frustration with the penalties the league has levied, and the entire process and how it was conducted. But please trust that I am always trying to do what I believe is best for this franchise, and pledge that I will always continue to do that."
The Patriots were also docked a first-round pick and handed a $1-million fine for the controversy,
After Brady's ban was initially upheld on appeal by Goodell, Kraft said he was wrong to put his faith in the league, stating that he believed by accepting those punishments and cooperating with the league, Brady's suspension would be lifted.