Robert Kraft Stands By Brady

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft blasted the NFL on Wednesday for upholding quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension, calling it "unfathomable," while apologizing to the team's fans for agreeing to accept the league's penalties. ...

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Robert Kraft Stands By Brady

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft blasted the NFL on Wednesday for upholding quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension, calling it "unfathomable," while apologizing to the team's fans for agreeing to accept the league's penalties.

"I was wrong to put my faith in the league," Kraft said, noting that in doing so he felt it would help exonerate Brady.

"Six months removed from the AFC Championship Game, the league still has no hard evidence of anybody doing anything to tamper with the psi levels of footballs. I continue to believe and unequivocally support Tom Brady.

Kraft then explained why he agreed to accept the league's penalties of a $1 million fine, 2016 first-round draft choice and 2017 fourth-round draft choice.

"I, first and foremost, need to apologize to our fans because I truly believe what I did in May -- given the actual evidence of the situation, and the league's history on discipline matters -- would make it much easier for the league to exonerate Tom Brady. Unfortunately I was wrong," he said.

"I've come to the conclusion that this was never about doing what was fair and just. Back in May, I had to make a difficult decision that I now regret."

Kraft then ripped the league's investigation, calling it "extremely frustrating and disconcerting." Kraft referenced a report that stated 11 of the 12 Patriots footballs measured at halftime were significantly under the required range of 12.5 psi to 13.5 psi.

"I will never understand why an initial erroneous report regarding the psi level of footballs was leaked by a source from the NFL a few days after the AFC Championship Game, and was never corrected by those who had the correct information. For four months, that report cast aspersions and shaped public opinion," he said.

Kraft also took issue Wednesday with the way the NFL communicated the news that commissioner Roger Goodell decided to uphold Brady's four-game suspension on appeal. In particular, Kraft was upset by the league's emphasis on the idea that Brady destroyed his cellphone.

"Yesterday's decision by commissioner Goodell was released in a similar manner, under an erroneous headline that read, 'Tom Brady destroyed his cellphone.' This headline was designed to capture headlines across the country and obscure evidence regarding the tampering of air pressure in footballs.

"It intentionally implied nefarious behavior and minimized the acknowledgement that Tom provided the history of every number he texted during that relevant time frame. We had already provided the league with every cellphone of every non-NFLPA employee that they requested, including head coach Bill Belichick."

Kraft did not answer questions, and said he will not talk about the matter until after the legal process plays out, while advising everyone in the organization to do the same.

Brady, who released a statement on his personal Facebook page Wednesday, is not scheduled to hold a news conference.

"Tom Brady is a person of great integrity and is a great ambassador of the game, both on and off the field," Kraft said. "Yet for reasons that I cannot comprehend, there are those in the league office who are more determined to prove that they are right rather than admit any culpability of their own or take any responsibility for the initiation of a process and ensuing investigation that was flawed."

Kraft also appeared to fire a direct salvo at NFL general counsel Jeff Pash, who was a league-based reference for investigator Ted Wells in producing the multimillion-dollar report that was used as the foundation to penalize the Patriots.

"I have often said, 'If you want to get a deal done, sometimes you have to get the lawyers out of the room.' I had hopes that Tom Brady's appeal to the league would provide Roger Goodell the necessary explanation to overturn his suspension. Now the league has taken the matter to court, which is a tactic that only a lawyer would recommend," Kraft said.

It is an outcome Kraft said he didn't think was possible when he accepted the league's penalties in May. He said Wednesday that it is routine for discipline in the NFL to be reduced on appeal, even when there is evidence of an infraction.

"I tried to do what I thought was right. I chose not to take legal action. I wanted to return the focus to football," he said.

"I have been negotiating agreements on a global basis my entire life, and I know there are times when you have to give up important points of principle to achieve a greater good. I acted in good faith and was optimistic that by taking the actions I took, the league would have what they wanted.

"I was willing to accept the harshest penalty in the history of the NFL for an alleged ball violation, because I believed it would help exonerate Tom.

"Given the facts, evidence and laws of science that underscore this entire situation, it is completely incomprehensible to me that the league continues to take steps to disparage one of its all-time great players and a man for whom I have the utmost respect.

"Personally, this is very sad and disappointing to me."

Belichick took the podium after Kraft, but the coach refused to discuss Brady's situation, answering repeated questions on the matter by saying, "It's already been addressed."

A source told ESPN's Jim Trotter that Brady has authorized the NFLPA to appeal his case in federal court, where he is expected to seek an injunction that would allow him to play while his case works its way through the courts. The league and Brady's representatives had engaged in settlement talks but couldn't find common ground, which was expected.

The NFL told Brady that if he acknowledged that Patriots ball attendants Jim McNally and John Jastremski were doing something illegal, and if he acknowledged that he didn't cooperate with the league, the NFL would be willing to reduce his suspension to two or maybe even one game, a source said. Brady declined to agree to the offer, which as one source said, "tells you how Tom feels about this case."

Attorney John M. Dowd, the investigator and author of the report that led Major League Baseball to ban Pete Rose, weighed in Wednesday and said Brady was "ambushed" by Goodell and that the "entire NFL disciplinary process lacks integrity and fairness."

"The record of the Wells investigation shows that this cell phone was not an issue or charge below. Tom and his counsel made it clear the cell phone would not be produced. He was not cited by Wells for failure to cooperate -- a separate charge never made -- because he did cooperate," Dowd said. "Thereafter, [Goodell] punished him for the tampering and made no reference to the absence of the phone or lack of cooperation.

"Meanwhile, the flawed Wells report was demolished publicly which put Goodell between a rock and a hard place given his dismal record with disciplinary decisions. As a result, Wells and the commissioner ambushed Brady on appeal with the phone and a new charge, to wit: failure to cooperate. But they knew and had no quarrel with the non-production of the phone before they learned it had been destroyed. By adding it to the reason for the suspension, the NFL commissioner has denied Tom Brady the fundamental right to notice of a charge and the right to defend against it."

Brady, who turns 38 on Aug. 3, will miss the first four games this season unless the case goes to court. Jimmy Garoppolo, a second-round draft pick in 2014, would replace Brady.

New England hosts Pittsburgh on Sept. 10 to open the regular season. The Patriots then go to Buffalo, host Jacksonville, have a bye, and are at Dallas in the last game of Brady's suspension. Oddsmakers at William Hill US, though, continue to keep the Patriots at 7-2 to win the AFC title and 8-1 to win Super Bowl 50.

The 20 Most Visited Museums in the World

With everything from art to history to science to architecture and more, museums have something for everyone. They’re great places to go to whether you are on vacation or close to home, a great way to spend a day under any circumstances. Some museums are world-renowned while others inspire on a quieter level. The best thing about museums is they are usually inexpensive if not free. Millions of people visit museums each year, here are the most visited museums in the world.

1. Louvre (Paris, France)

No surprise here. The home of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa hosts 8.5 million persons each year. It also houses some 35,000 works of art.

2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C.)

This free museum on the National Mall hosts the largest collection of aviation artifacts in the world, including 50,000 original relics, and hosts about 8.3 million visitors annually.

3. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.)

Home to some 126 million artifacts, 6.8 million people a year make this the most visited natural history museum in the world. It also hosts the world’s largest marine collection.

4. British Museum (London, U.K.)

7 million objects, 2.5 miles of galleries, and free admission make this one of the most popular museums in the world, tallying over 5.8 million visitors per year.

5. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, NY)

Special exhibits, along with its vast permanent collection, make this art museum a hot spot for tourists and New York natives alike, garnering some 5.2 million annual guests.

6. Tate Modern (London, U.K.)

Located in a former power station, this museum hosts fine works of modern art along with more than 5 million visitors a year.

7. American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY)

5 million guests come to see the infamous hanging blue whale replica each year at this institution that has been around since 1869. There is also an interesting architectural phenomenon in the museum in which, if you are standing at the right spot, you can hear someone whisper across the room.

8. National Gallery (London, U.K.)

Located on Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery sees just under 5 million visitors per year and houses Western European paintings from the 13th through 19th centuries and costs nothing to enter.

9. National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)

Originally the personal art collection of Andrew W. Mellon, the museum has expanded and now hosts nearly 4.8 people annually.

10. Vatican Museums (Rome, Italy)

Over 5 centuries old, this museum is a collection of sculptures and fine art collected by the popes that sees almost 4.7 million guests a year.

11. Natural History Museum (London, U.K.)

It houses 70 million items, including specimens found by Charles Darwin, and host over 4.6 million visitors each year.

12. Smithsonian National Museum of American History (Washington, D.C.)

4.2 million people come to see the 3 million artifacts, ranging from serious historical items to popular culture relics, each year.

13. Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY)

Over three million people come to this famous museum, which houses great works such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The price of admission has skyrocketed but is free Friday evenings from 4 to 8.

14. Centre Pompidou (Paris, France)

The building itself is a work of art along with the over 60,000 pieces of modern art inside, which is why 3.1 million people go there every year.

15. National Museum of Korea (Seoul, South Korea)

The museum only has 13,000 items but its permanent exhibitions are free and it houses some of the most important Korean artifacts on record, leading to over 3 million annual visitors and its status as the most popular museum in Asia.

16. Musée d’Orsay (Paris, France)

The building’s arched glass ceiling is as much of a draw for the just under 3 million annual visitors as Impressionist art found inside.

17. Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie

Europe’s largest science museum is not as well known as the prominent Louvre but still hosts over 2.8 million guests a year.

18. Science Museum (London, U.K.)

With a collection of over 300,000 items, London’s Science Museum is great for the 2.7 million people who visit it each year.

19. Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid, Spain)

The museum has expanded to include an auditorium, a bookstore, and restaurants in addition to its many galleries of European art, which 2.7 million people come to see every year.

20. Victoria and Albert Museum (London, U.K.)

The 50,000 items in this museum range from decorative arts such as ceramics to stylish clothing and design artifacts. 2.6 million people visit each year.

The Best Road Trips in America

Road trips are the best ways to see the country. In the summer, when the road conditions are fine and the weather is hot, it’s great to sit in your air-conditioned car or feel the breeze blowing through your hair as you drive a stretch of road with the windows down. It’s as much about the journey as it is about the destination. There are so many sights to see along the roads, from scenic landscapes to wildlife. Your eyes will always be searching and will never be disappointed.

US 1

The US 1 in the Florida Keys runs from island to island while passing lighthouses, beaches, and vegetation. The entire highway is 120 miles, including a stretch over the water that encompasses the longest bridge in the world, 7 Mile Bridge. If driving over the beautiful blue waters makes you want to take a dip, stop at the Theater of the Sea on Islamorada to swim with dolphins.

Route 14

In California, Route 14 is also known as the Antelope Valley Freeway takes you past miles and miles of golden poppies. Drive up the Antelope Loop Trail in the 1,760-acre Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve to Antelope Butte Vista Point some 300 feet high for a gorgeous view of the Mojave Desert.

US Route 9

Route 9 runs 300 miles and takes you all the way up to Canada. It’s a long journey so you’ll definitely get hungry along the way. There’s no need to worry. You can stop at any of the many farmer’s markets and stands along the way for fresh produce. In the New York stretch of the highway, stop at the Vanderbilt Mansion.

Route 100

In Vermont, the Route 100 will take you past the infamous Woodstock, the Green Mountains, and Gifford Woods State Park for the best forest scenery you can find. On a hot summer day, you can stop for freshly churned ice cream.

US Highway 2

The US Highway 2 in Washington is also known as Cascade Loop, takes you from Puget Sound through rainforests and apple orchards to Lake Chelan. On the way, stop in Leavenworth for a quasi Deutsch experience in this re-created Bavarian Alps town.

Highway 31

Highway 31 in Louisiana heads along the bayous past tall oak trees and lagoons filled with alligators, herons, and other wildlife. The best part of your trip will be a stop at Breaux Bridge for some of the finest Cajun food you’ll ever eat.

Highway 513

The Highway 513 in Michigan, otherwise known as the Black River Scenic Byway, follows Lake superior through the Upper Peninsula of the state. Waterfalls, forests, and sandstone rocks all around, make sure to stop in Ironwood, a former mining town.

Highway 2

In the state of Nebraska, the Highway 2 will make you feel like you are the only souls in the world. You won’t run into many other people, but you will find great views of the Great Plains with its sand dunes. Stop at the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center to see cranes and, hopefully, some other humans.

Route 12

In Utah, the Route 12 takes you 124 miles past red sandstone canyons and purple sage bluffs. The road is bookended by two National Parks, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. The most treacherous and also the most interesting part of the drive is the Hogback.

Hana Highway

Hana Highway in Maui, Hawaii is a winding, roller coaster of a ride, but there is no more beautiful setting for a road trip. Along the 51 miles, you will pass Waianapanapa State Park where you can lounge on the black sand beaches, explore a sea cave, or climb a lava cliff.

Route 66

No list of road trips would be complete without 2,451 mile stretch of highway going from Illinois all the way to California. You’ll get to pass by the Grand Canyon. What could possibly be a more scenic drive?