Brady has acted guilty from Day 1.  His initial public statements were shown not to be true.  Apparently his 5 hour interview contained plenty of inconsistencies and several provable lies.  He didn't know the name of a 20-year Patriots employee who he regularly gave signed memorabilia to?  Sure. 

 

Now Kraft, who pledged "full cooperation" then pulled all cooperation when it was going against him, offers this reaction:

 

“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 is acting like a properly spanked brat, and that is good.  But he is in deep denial about the ongoing costs of his action.  He now has to live the rest of his life not only with the cheater reputation, but now he also owns the lies and the cover-ups and the pretend indignation. 

 

It was "our intention to accept any discipline levied by the league" - any discipline except this particular one.  And we'll cooperate fully, except for this particular employee and this particular phone.  Note that Kraft doesn't say they will challenge the decision.  I don't think he would have a legal leg to stand on, and I don't think he would risk having the extent of the cheating exposed in a civil trial against the NFL.  He'd be carrying a lit match into a fireworks factory.

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