Patriots News: CEO & Chairman Robert Kraft Issues Official Statement On Deflategate

Here's New England Patriots CEO and chairman Robert Kraft's official statement on the NFL's investigation into alleged improprieties in the handling of game footballs by the New England Patriots' equipment staff - or otherwise known as "Deflategate":

“On Monday, I received a letter from the league office informing me that they would be conducting an investigation into the air pressure of the game balls. Immediately after receiving the letter, I instructed our staff to be completely cooperative and transparent with the league’s investigators. During the three days they were here, we provided access to every full- and part-time employee the league’s representatives requested to speak with and produced every communication device that they requested to search. It is an ongoing process that the league and our team are taking very seriously. I very much support the league’s desire to conduct a complete investigation and welcome the appointment of Ted Wells to lead the process. Competitive balance and the integrity of the game are the foundation of what makes our league so special and I have the utmost respect for those principles. Our organization will continue to cooperate throughout the league’s investigation. Meanwhile, our players, coaches and staff will continue to focus on our preparations for Super Bowl XLIX and the many challenges we face as we prepare for the Seattle Seahawks.”

Head coach Bill Belichick added in a Saturday afternoon press conference that after personal review and learning the process that goes into game ball preparation, he felt confident in concluding that the team "followed every rule to the letter" during its 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts in last Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

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