Patriots owner Robert Kraft: 'No smoking gun' in Deflategate probe

Patriots owner Robert Kraft says there's “no smoking gun” in the Deflategate probe

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says there is “no smoking gun” that proves his team used underinflated footballs during the first half of the 2015 AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The NFL is expected to conclude its Ted Wells-led investigation of New England in the near future. 

[daily_cut.nfl]

Kraft had said that he was “ticked off” that the NFL investigated his team and expected an apology from the league if the investigation showed no wrongdoing.

"I like to worry about things I can control. I know that there's no smoking gun here," Kraft said, according to USA Today. "I chatted with our people. I think I said it pretty well the week before the Super Bowl. So we're worried about the 2015 season, and that's our focus."

Kraft said he wasn’t referring to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell when he previously criticized the way the investigation has been handled.

• MMQB: Roger Goodell speaks about tough year

The Most Talked-About Footballs in NFL History

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

With the NFL investigation into Deflategate concluding that it is probable the Patriots deliberately deflated footballs and that Tom Brady was "generally aware," here is a gallery of the most talked-about footballs in NFL history, beginning with Brady looking to pass in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Tom Brady gestures before the snap in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts.

Elise Amendola/AP

Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola cannot catch a pass while being defended by Darius Butler during the first half.

Elsa/Getty Images

Tom Brady hands the ball off to LeGarrette Blount in the first quarter.

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Tom Brady throws a pass in the first quarter.

Matt Slocum/AP

Tom Brady looks to pass during the first half.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Shane Vereen makes a catch in the first quarter against Jerrell Freeman.

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Shane Vereen makes a catch in the first quarter against Jerrell Freeman.

Matt Slocum/AP

Rob Gronkowski cannot make a catch in the end zone over Colts cornerback Greg Toler during the first half.

Charles Krupa/AP

Julian Edelman tries to make a catch during the first half.

Julio Cortez/AP

Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson intercepts a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski during the first half.

Julio Cortez/AP

D'Qwell Jackson intercepts a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski.

Elise Amendola/AP

D'Qwell Jackson is congratulated by teammates after his interception.

Julio Cortez/AP

Julian Edelman is tackled by cornerback Darius Butler during the first half.

Al Bello/Getty Images

James Develin scores a touchdown in the first quarter.

Elsa/Getty Images

James Develin celebrates his first-quarter touchdown.

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Julian Edelman runs with the ball against Greg Toler.

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

LeGarrette Blount runs with the ball in the first quarter.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Tom Brady looks to pass in the first half against the Colts.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Tom Brady runs for a first down in the second quarter.

Al Tielemans/SI

An official has a ball handed to him during the AFC title game.

Matt Slocum/AP

Tom Brady has a ball tossed to him during warmups before the AFC Championship game.

"He's in charge," Kraft said of Goodell, according to USA Today. "I think he has a pretty tough job. As a matter of fact, some of my friends say there's two jobs they don't want: President of the United States or commissioner of the NFL."

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick have denied any knowledge of wrongdoing. The Patriots won the AFC championship 45-7, advancing to Super Bowl XLIX and ultimately prevailing 28-24 over the Seattle Seahawks.

- Scooby Axson