The Sports Xchange

“We all have lost.”

New England quarterback Tom Brady released a statement late Friday night saying how much he was looking forward to playing and how grateful he was to put “DeflateGate” behind.

But the Patriots leader lamented the ordeal that has embroiled the league, his team and the fans this offseason.

Brady, who had been silent since winning the battle to overturn his four-game suspension, showed remorse and regret on his Facebook page.

“While I am pleased to be eligible to play, I am sorry our league had to endure this. I don’t think it has been good for our sport — to a large degree, we have all lost,” he wrote on Facebook. “I am also sorry to anyone whose feelings I may have hurt as I have tried to work to resolve this situation. I love the NFL.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Brady for four games. The commissioner argued Brady knew that game balls in a playoff game against Indianapolis last year were being inflated to pressure below league standards.

A U.S. District judge overturned that suspension on Thursday. The NFL has appealed the decision.

The ordeal has pitted good friends, Goodell and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, against each other. Goodell’s authority also has come under fire, especially from players around the league.

The Patriots will be conducting their first official practice of the regular season on Saturday and Brady can’t wait to step on the field without the specter of suspension hanging over his head.

“The regular season starts (Saturday) morning, and I can’t wait to fully commit my energy and emotion to focus on the challenges of the 2015 NFL season,” he said on Facebook. “I want to thank my family, my friends, all of the fans, past and current players and my teammates for the support they have given me throughout this challenging experience.”

The Patriots open the regular season on Thursday night when they play host to Pittsburgh.

“I look forward to representing the New England Patriots on Thursday night in our season opener. I hope to make all of our fans proud this year … and beyond!” Brady’s Facebook message said.