April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots apologized to his fellow National Football League owners for the lingering fallout from his team's illegal videotaping of rivals' signals.

Kraft, 66, told the league's other 31 owners that he considered the NFL a family and understood that the so-called ``Spygate'' scandal had caused problems for everyone, Patriots spokesman Stacey James said.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told reporters that Kraft's comments were ``well-received'' and said an apology wasn't needed.

``I think as owners we've moved past it,'' Irsay said at the league's annual meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. ``To me, it's a past issue, but the fact that they did it shows class.''

Patriots coach Bill Belichick also spoke to the owners and explained his interpretation of the videotaping rule, James said. Belichick said in September that his interpretation of the league's videotaping rule had been ``incorrect.''

The NFL fined the Patriots and Belichick a combined $750,000 and took away a first-round draft choice for videotaping teams' signals in violation of league rules. The illegal practices were discovered after NFL security removed a Patriots' employee with a video camera from the sidelines during a Sept. 9 victory over the New York Jets. The Jets are coached by former Patriots assistant Eric Mangini.

The NFL's punishment didn't end the controversy.

Two days before the league's Feb. 3 Super Bowl, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, a Republican from Pennsylvania, said he wanted to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the league's destruction of videotapes seized from the Patriots.

`Inexplicable'

Specter, the senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee, called destroying the tapes ``inexplicable.'' He also said he wanted to talk to former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh about the team's actions.

The NFL has defended its decision to destroy the tapes and has said it wants to interview Walsh about whether the Patriots' taping practices were more extensive.

The Boston Herald reported Feb. 2 that the Patriots taped the St. Louis Rams' pre-game walkthrough before the 2002 Super Bowl. The Patriots won the game 20-17 on a last-second field goal. Walsh, who was with the Patriots at the time, told ESPN.com in February that he had information that could have exposed the Patriots before they were caught recording the Jets' signals.

Belichick told reporters today that there wouldn't be any new revelations in regard to the team's taping practices.

``They've addressed everything they possibly can address,'' Belichick said at a coaches breakfast. ``I don't know what else the league could ask.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Kuriloff in Palm Beach, Florida, at akuriloff@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: April 1, 2008 19:58 EDT