Pleased but disappointed Kraft: Story 'completely false, unsubstantiated'

The Herald's story cited unidentified sources and was released Feb. 2.

In the apology, published in the newspaper's Wednesday edition and posted on its website, the Herald said the story was based on sources "it believed to be credible."

"We now know that this report was false, and that no tape of the walkthrough ever existed," the paper wrote.

"We should not have published the allegation in the absence of firmer verification. The Boston Herald regrets the damage done to the team by publication of the allegation, and sincerely apologizes to its readers and to the New England Patriots' owners, players, employees and fans for our error."

The newspaper featured a front-page headline reading: "Sorry, Pats." It placed the three-paragraph apology on the back inside page of the newspaper.

The backpage headline said, "Our mistake".

"I'm glad they stepped up and admitted their error and are doing the best they can to put it behind them," Kraft said.

"The fans of the NFL, even if they're not Patriot fans, we want them to respect what we're about, and in this age of media where you have 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all kinds of ways to have information be disseminated, there's people who throw stuff out there that is just false."