Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told his fellow NFL owners he was sorry on Tuesday for the FBI investigation into Pilot Flying J, of which Haslam is the CEO, according to Jarrett Bell of the USA Today.
Jimmy Haslam apologizes to fellow NFL owners for FBI probe
Cleveland’s new owner is in hot legal water and he apologized for his situation earlier this week.
Haslam is the newest of the 32 NFL owners, and he is still trying to make a good impression despite this sticky issue involving the FBI.
"I know he feels a sense of embarrassment," New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. "He said they're going to do everything they can to get it under control and put it behind them, and that he felt bad for the attention that it brought to the Cleveland franchise and the NFL, and he was going to make it right."
Other owners also were impressed by what Haslam had to say.
"Personally, hearing Mr. Haslam explain his full situation, I was very touched by it," New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch said. "The complexity of the situation, I don't fully understand. But he was open. I admire him for taking a very proactive position."
Pilot Flying J is currently under investigation for defrauding clients, who claim the company knowingly short-changed their companies on fuel deals. An audit review is also taking place with Pilot Flying J in an effort to find out exactly what happened within the company.
Haslam believed it was important to clear the air with his colleagues in the NFL. He wanted to send a message personally from his vantage point, per the piece:
“I thought it was important,” Haslam told USA TODAY Sports after the meetings adjourned. “We’re partners in the NFL. I wanted to address them face-to-face.”
For Haslam, he has said on numerous occasions that he isn’t involved personally in any wrongdoing while also apologizing to Cleveland fans.
The Browns owner has been making headlines ever since he bought the team, letting the world know that he had been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan - the Browns main rival - before purchasing Cleveland's most beloved franchise.
Now, of course, Haslam says he bleeds orange and brown.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
