Robert Kraft Says Patriots Won't Appeal Team's Deflategate Punishment

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced Tuesday that the franchise won't appeal the punishment levied against it by the NFL, which included a $1 million fine and the loss of two draft picks, for the Deflategate situation. 

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, even though quarterback Tom Brady's appeal of his four-game suspension will move forward, Kraft said the team will "reluctantly" not be appealing the league's decision:

NESN's Doug Kyed provided more of Kraft's speech from the NFL spring league meeting currently going on in San Francisco. Kraft said he wanted to end the four-month back-and-forth going on between the Patriots and the NFL:

Also from Kyed, Kraft admitted that there were only two options on the table for him and the Patriots, and the best interests of all 32 NFL teams should take precedence over the concerns of one franchise:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke about Kraft's decision, saying: "The decision that Robert made was his decision. I admire and respect Robert... This was his initiative. I admire the step he took," via Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal.

Goodell also confirmed that Kraft's decision does not impact Brady's appeal, via Kyed.

Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman passed along the reactions among some other teams regarding Kraft's decision not to appeal:

At least one owner wasn't surprised by the decision: the Texans' Bob McNair. Garafolo and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post passed along comments from McNair on Kraft's choice:

"

Texans owner Bob McNair upon arriving at here says he's not surprised by Robert Kraft's stance. "He always does what's best for the league."

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 19, 2015"

"

Texans owner Bob McNair on Kraft's decision: "I think that's the smart thing for him to do. I'm pleased."

— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) May 19, 2015"

Kraft told Matt Blanchette of ABC 6 in Rhode Island that he explored all possible alternatives prior to speaking Tuesday, noting the process he went through before ultimately deciding to accept the NFL's punishment:

In addition to putting some semblance of an end to this situation for the team, Kraft closed the brief press conference by giving a message to Patriots fans about why this decision is in the best interests of the franchise, per Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo:

"

Now I know that a lot of Patriots fans are going to be disappointed in that decision (to not appeal) but I hope they trust my judgment and know that I really feel at this point in time, taking this off the agenda, this is the best thing for the New England Patriots, our fans and the NFL, and I hope you all can respect that.

"

The Brady suspension is a different case from what New England was dealing with. NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah confirmed to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk that the reigning Super Bowl MVP "is still appealing, and the NFLPA is still supporting that appeal."

By begrudgingly accepting their punishment, Kraft and the Patriots are able to put this particular event in their rear-view mirror with OTAs set to begin May 26. However, it will cost them a lot of money, a first-round pick in the 2016 draft and a fourth-round pick in 2017.