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"I thought it was important," Jimmy Haslam told USA TODAY Sports after the NFL owners meetings ended. "We're partners in the NFL. I wanted to address them face-to-face."

(Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam stood in front of his fellow NFL owners at a league meeting in Boston on Tuesday and apologized for the mess caused by some employees of Pilot Flying J, which is under federal investigation.

"I thought it was important," Haslam told USA Today Sports after the meetings ended. "We're partners in the NFL. I wanted to address them face-to-face."

Haslam addressed his new colleagues -- who unanimously approved his ownership in October -- for about five minutes after a lunch break, according to USA Today Sports' Jarrett Bell. It wasn't on the agenda, but Haslam asked league Commissioner Roger Goodell if he could take the floor. Haslam reiterated what he told the trucking industry last week in Indianapolis -- that he had no knowledge of the rebate fraud that was occurring at his company. He also apologized for any damage it has caused to the NFL brand, Bell reported.

Steelers President Art Rooney II told Bell he "was shocked" about the probe, in which the FBI contends in a 120-page affidavit that Haslam had some knowledge of his company defrauding truckers. Haslam owned a minority stake in the Steelers before purchasing the Browns.

"I felt like it's nothing Jimmy would become involved in," Rooney said. "I feel like I know Jimmy. He's not someone who'd be breaking the law."

Rooney said he felt Haslam's remarks were appropriate.

"He doesn't want to bring any embarrassment on to fellow owners," Rooney said.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who spent time with Haslam before the purchase was final to help him learn the business, felt better about the situation after Haslam's address.

"I know he feels a sense of embarrassment," 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."

Haslam, who outlined his five-pronged attack for correcting the internal problems at Pilot Flying J and for making restitution, also offered to meet privately with any owner who wants to know more about the investigation.

"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."

Added Tisch, "He is the new kid in town in terms of NFL ownership," Tisch said. "And to sort of deal with an issue like this in the first quarter is impressive."

Kraft, who wholeheartedly endorsed Haslam in an interview with The Plain Dealer last Fall, think Haslam helped himself with the presentation.

"He handled himself in a very professional way and spoke about what the NFL and the Cleveland market means to him, how important it is that he make both parties proud," Kraft said. "They have a huge company. Maybe they didn't have all the controls that they wanted. He was very impressive in explaining that. I thought it was classy."

Haslam also told the trucking industry last week that he didn't feel the probe would affect his ownership of the Browns.