Back to the New England Patriots Newsfeed

Buckley: Rebuilding project lies ahead of Robert Kraft

Before signing the surrender papers late yesterday morning in San Francisco, Robert Kraft took us on a trip to that day 21 years ago when he was welcomed to the inner sanctum of National Football League owners.

“Here’s a fan and a former season ticket holder living a dream and being welcomed in that room,” he said. “I got goose bumps that day.”

That was the dream. This is the nightmare: Having accepted the “Deflategate” penalties, Kraft must now pick up the pieces and repair the image of his tattered franchise.

And goose bumps have been replaced by night sweats.