Deflategate: Roger Goodell Speaks Out on Patriot’s Decision to Accept Punishment
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Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images(SAN FRANCISCO) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that he had “plenty of discussions” with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before the team owner announced his decision to accept the league’s punishment for its role in the deflategate scandal.
“I admire and respect Robert,” Goodell said Wednesday afternoon.
“This was his initiative and something he wanted to do,” he added.
Goodell’s news conference came almost 24 hours after Kraft said he would “reluctantly” accept the league’s decision to fine the team $1 million, deny them their 2016 first round draft pick and suspend their star quarterback, Tom Brady, for four games.
Brady filed a separate appeal to try and change his suspension, and Goodell said that he is keeping an open mind going into that appeals process, which he will oversee.
Goodell said that he was “not going to get into hypotheticals” but did say that he is open to hearing any information that Brady and his representatives relating to the claim that he was aware that the team was using underinflated balls during the AFC championship against the Indianapolis Colts.
Brady refused to hand over any emails or text messages to investigators when they were doing the research into the report that determined the suspension.
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