Robert Kraft spears Roger Goodell in victory speech

Newsday

As the Patriots claimed victory in what will go down as one of the greatest Super Bowls of all-time, Robert Kraft got to accept the Lombardi Trophy for the fifth time since owning the team. He's certainly no stranger to the trophy presentation, and could probably do it all in his sleep by now if he tried.

Heading into Super Bowl LI, one of the sub-plots was the potential for Roger Goodell to have to hand the Pats the Lombardi Trophy, which would have been the most appropriate way to cap off Deflategate. What better way to stick it to the man, right?

Speaking to NFL legend and Fox Sports' Terry Bradshaw during the ceremony after receiving the trophy, Kraft took a quick moment to unload an excellent jab at Goodell -- all while the commissioner was being relentlessly booed by those at NRG Stadium.

"Two years ago, we won our fourth Super Bowl down in Arizona, and I told our fans that was the sweetest of them all," Kraft proclaimed. "But a lot has transpired over the past two years -- and I don't think that needs any explanation."


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That's about as good as it gets right there -- it's pretty much like the Super Bowl's equivalent of the Sweet Chin Music. Personally, I'd have liked to have put a baseball bat in Kraft's hand, so he could flip it.

Goodell's role as Commissioner is to serve the interests of the owners, and Kraft knows it all-too-well. He's well aware that Goodell exists just to carry his water, and as one of the league's more respected owners, I'd think he's more than earned a quick swipe at the man who shelved one of his prized players in the most self-aggrandizing fashion possible. Lest we not forget, Goodell's also getting booed, which makes it all better.

Kraft wrapped his speech up for thank-yous all across the board.

"I want to say to our fans, our amazing coaching staff, our amazing players who are so spectacular, this is unequivocally the sweetest, and I'm proud to say, for the fifth time, we are all Patriots, and tonight, for the fifth time, the Patriots are world champions."

Follow Rob Riches on Twitter @Riches61