Patriots owner Robert Kraft says that in refusing to fight the league’s punishment for Deflategate, he wasn’t just doing what was best for the NFL. He was also doing what’s best for his own team.
Responding to criticism from some in New England that Kraft quit when he should have fought, Kraft said he firmly believes that he did the best thing for his franchise.
“I only care about our fans,” said Kraft, via CSNNE.com. “I did my part to be a good partner, I think. The most important thing to me is that the fans of the New England Patriots know that I’m always trying to look out for our team’s best interests now. I think this was in the best long-term interest of the team.”
It may be tough for Patriots fans to swallow that they have to give up next year’s first-round draft pick and their 2017 fourth-round pick, and somehow accepting that is the best thing for the team. But Kraft is looking to play the long game and get in the good graces of the league, including perhaps doing what will aid Tom Brady in the appeal of his four-game suspension.
From that perspective, Kraft decided that he’d rather take his medicine than battle the league.
