Most people here are correct. It was the proper thing for the team to say, BUT as for Bob Kraft, it is too little and too late. Here is the statement Kraft HAS to make if he is ever going to rehabilitate the well earned reputation he destroyed with his acceptance of the league penalties. It has to go something like this:
" I realize now that I made a critical mistake in accepting the Commissioner's penalties on behalf of the Patriots organization. I sincerely felt at the time it would be the wisest choice to quiet the rhetoric, and allow the team to refocus on the coming year.
Clearly subsequent events have proven I was wrong, and played into the hands of elements within the league office and a few self interested owners who only care about their own agendas and damaging the legacy I have worked to build for the previous 2o years. These are people who failed to prevail on the field, so they decided to attempt to take us down with this charade of a scandal.
I was misled into thinking that I was working for what I THOUGHT was the entire league's best interests. Instead I put my organization, Tom Brady and Bill Bellichick in an even worse position and played into the hands of some malicious enemies of both the Patriots and the ultimate long term health of the entire league.
Two of the reasons the Patriots have been the most successful team of the last 2 decades is that we stress the value of accountability and to "do your job". Well sadly I didn't do MY job, and its time to make myself accountable. As of this moment I am stepping down as CEO of the NE Patriots and handing over the reins to my capable son, Jonathan.
I want to thank all our fans for their support over theses past 20+ years. They have been some of the best years of my life."
Now if Bob Kraft ever made this statement I believe he would be universally forgiven.
