Robert Kraft Announces the Patriots Will Not Appeal Their #DeflateGate Penalties

He will accept a $1 million fine and the loss of two draft picks.

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Less than a week ago, Robert Kraft and the Patriots were adamant about the fact that they did not knowingly deflate footballs prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Colts last season. They created a website called wellsreportcontext.com to dispute some of the #DeflateGate findings and everything. But as it turns out, they're not going to fight the NFL forever when it comes to the scandal. In fact, according to Kraft, he's ready to "reluctantly" accept the $1 million fine that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league handed down to the Patriots organization as well as the loss of two draft picks.

"When the discipline came out, I felt it was way over the top," Kraft said at a press conference a short time ago, before referring to the Patriots' fight against the league's ruling. "I have two options: I can end it or extend it…I'm going to accept reluctantly what [Goodell] has given to us, and not continue this dialog and rhetoric, and we won't appeal."

It sounds like Tom Brady is still going to move forward with the appeal of his four-game suspension. But for now, the Patriots as a team are ready to move beyond #DeflateGate. It'll be interesting to see whether or not that plays a role in Goodell's decision to reduce Brady's suspension.

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[via For The Win]

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