Only the privileged few were allowed inside.
What they heard, apparently moved them. Afterwards, some of the NFL's elite told reporters about the apology for Spygate offered by Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Following Kraft was head coach Bill Belichick, who told the assembled owners, fellow coaches, and Commissioner Roger Goodell his side of the story.
"We were talking about the past year and going into next year, and since it was owners [and] coaches, it was probably like, 'If there was an elephant in the room, just bring it out and talk about what transpired and moving past it,' " Colts owner Jim Irsay said in a Boston Globe feature.
"In that spirit, I think Bill and Bob decided to get up and say things along those lines. To me, it's a past issue and it wasn't necessary, but the fact they did it shows class."
More positive reviews came from Colts President Bill Polian.
"I certainly appreciate everything that Mr. Kraft and his family have done for the league," Polian said. "They've made this league a much better league since they've been members of it, and certainly from one man's point of view, he doesn't need to apologize for anything."
As for the alleged tape of the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough practice prior to Super Bowl XXXVI, the league feels no such tape exists.
"The bottom line is, there is no evidence whatsoever that this walkthrough tape exists, to this point," NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello told the Boston Herald.
"We were following up on the rumors that circulated Super Bowl weekend, including the idea specifically that there was this Rams walkthrough tape, to see if there was any evidence whatsoever, and nothing was produced."
Belichick also discussed the status of linebacker Junior Seau. If future Hall-of-Famer does return to New England this season, it will mark his 19th in the NFL. At this point, it seems, it's premature to speculate on Seau.
"I think we’ll evaluate the situation with Junior a little bit further into the spring. We'll see where he's at," Belichick said.
"I don't think really after the season with a player like that, is the time to make that decision. I think it's good to give it a little time and we'll plan on talking to him about that at some later point. There is no specific time or cutoff date, or anything like that. We'll just take it as it comes."
