Super Bowl defending champion New England Patriots are obviously very disappointed over Roger Goodell's decision to uphold the sanction imposed on Tom Brady for his alleged involvement in the "Deflategate" issue.

On Tuesday, the NFL commissioner announced that the earlier ruling to ban Brady for four games remains. Goodell also disclosed new information about the quarterback that could help cement the verdict, NFL.com reported.

"The most significant new information that emerged in connection with the appeal was evidence that on or about March 6, 2015 - the very day that he was interviewed by Mr. (Ted) Wells and his investigated team - Mr. Brady instructed his assistant to destroy the cellphone that he had been using since early 2014, a period that included that AFC Championship Game and the initial weeks of the subsequent investigation," Goodell stated.

"During the four months that the cell phone was in use, Brady had exchanged nearly 10,000 text messages, none of which can now be retrieved from that device. The destruction of the cell phone was not disclosed until June 18, almost four months after the investigators had first sought electronic information from Brady," the commissioner wrote.

Patriots' reaction

The Patriots, who also received a hefty one million dollar penalty and temporary cancellation of drafting rights, were immensely devastated by the final decision of the commissioner on Brady's case.

In May, team owner Robert Kraft reacted strongly about the punishment, which he even regarded as something that "far exceeded any reasonable expectation," yet he accepted it. He did not make an appeal anymore as he said that he has "respect for the commissioner" whom he believes is only doing whatever is for "the best interest of the full 32."

However, when Goodell, who maintained that Kraft's decision to not appeal his team's punishment will not in any way affect that of Brady's, announced his decision, Kraft reacted vehemently.

"The decision handed down by the league yesterday is unfathomable by me. I truly believe what I did in May, given the actual evidence of this 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... I was wrong to put my faith in the league," Kraft told the press.

"I've come to the conclusion this was never about doing what was fair and just," Kraft said, pertaining to the league's investigation.

Related