Tag: Robert Kraft

Hall of Fame committee reportedly makes decision on Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft gets snubbed, again

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has reportedly been snubbed once again from a chance to be immortalized in Canton.

Per ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., despite being among the favorites to be inducted, Kraft was passed over by the committee for a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

It’s a devastating blow to the 83-year-old owner and six-time Super Bowl champion.

According to Van Natta Jr., the decision was ultimately made on November 12 and will officially be revealed to the public next month.

Back in September, an ESPN report came out that Kraft questioned Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones being inducted ahead of him.

“He hasn’t been to the NFC title game in two decades and he gets in?” Kraft told a confidant, via Van Natta Jr. in the ESPN report. “How does that work?”

Now, Kraft is reportedly being passed over for names such as Ralph Hay, an NFL co-founder and former Canton Bulldogs owner. Being snubbed for a 13th time doesn’t lead to much hope that the Patriots owner will be getting in anytime soon.

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Robert Kraft moves one step closer in Hall of Fame bid

Robert Kraft is getting another shot at being inducted into the Hall of Fame

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was named as a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Wednesday. Kraft was among nine other names who made it to the semifinal round.

K.S. “Bud” Adams, Ralph Hay, Frank Kilroy, Art Modell, Art Rooney Jr., Seymour Siwoff, Doug Williams and John Wooten were the others selected.

Kraft has long sought entry into the Hall of Fame. It was reported in September that he took issue with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones making it into the Hall of Fame, while he remained on the outs.

Now, Kraft has a chance to earn his place in history. The Patriots’ owner was previously named a Hall of Fame semifinalist last summer, but he ultimately did not get in.

This could be the chance for Kraft to finally break through into the Hall of Fame. The Patriots have enjoyed a unique run of success ever since he took ownership in 1994. He managed to help shape the landscape for a team that went on to forge the greatest dynasty in NFL history.

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Robert Kraft makes honest admission on decision to fire Bill Belichick

Robert Kraft goes deeper into the reasoning behind his decision to fire Bill Belichick

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft opened up about the firing of coach Bill Belichick during a recent appearance on “The Breakfast Club” podcast.

Belichick and the Patriots parted ways after 24 years in the organization. The coach led New England through an unprecedented run of success. He struggled in the post-Tom Brady era, however, as he made the playoffs only once in his four seasons without the legendary quarterback.

Belichick was also the de facto general manager for New England. He had a tremendous hand in building the Patriots’ dynasty from the ground up. Notable players like Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Dont’a Hightower were all drafted by Belichick.

Nevertheless, Kraft believed that it was time to part ways, and he expanded on that viewpoint in his sit-down interview.

“I kept him for 24 years. I didn’t enjoy having to fire him, but if you look at the press conference and how it happened, I tried to do it in a classy way,” said Kraft. “And what he did for us was great. People need to adapt and if they don’t…things can change. In life, it’s about getting good chemistry and trust. Our record the last three to four years wasn’t what I wanted.

“And I had given him so much power. He had full control over everything. And shame on me, I should’ve had some checks and balances better. But he had earned that right. But then the results weren’t there and if you’re in the sports business, you win or you lose. There’s no gray. And I hate losing.”

The firing of Belichick was a monumental time for the Patriots organization, as it officially represented a new direction for the team. Now, the Patriots are officially in rebuilding mode with Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf leading the charge.

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Robert Kraft says Patriots will cut star safety if domestic violence accusations are true

Robert Kraft said Jabrill Peppers is “gone” if reported domestic violence accusations are true

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has a zero tolerance for domestic violence.

When appearing on “The Breakfast Club” on Friday, he said safety Jabrill Peppers would be “gone” if the allegations in his reported legal drama are true.

Per NBC10 Boston, the Patriots’ defensive captain was arrested last Saturday on multiple charges, including “assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of cocaine.” He is currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, which means he can’t practice or attend games.

“Once he goes on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, they do their independent checking,” said Kraft. “We’re doing ours. If what was reported is true, he’s gone. There have been some suggestions that this was a setup, and a lot of what’s reported is not accurate.

“The easiest thing would have been to cut him right away, but we’re trying to measure nine times and do right by him. If the facts are as been reported publicly, then he’s not with us.”

Peppers’ attorney claimed there was video evidence, along with “other evidence,” that would fully exonerate Peppers in the case.

“I’ll repeat that we have evidence that completely contradicts the alleged victim’s story, and I expect my client to be fully exonerated,” Peppers’ attorney said.

Peppers’ spot with the Patriots could ultimately depend on that evidence.

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Robert Kraft reportedly questioned Jerry Jones’ HOF induction with losing Cowboys

Robert Kraft questioned Jerry Jones’ HOF induction

Robert Kraft and supporters have twisted their brains like pretzels trying to figure out why the New England Patriots owner still hasn’t been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

It was even more confusing seeing Kraft’s longtime archrival, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, get inducted in 2017.

“He hasn’t been to the NFC title game in two decades and he gets in?” Kraft told a confidant, via Don Van Natta Jr. in a recent ESPN report. “How does that work?”

Kraft has a point.

The Patriots won six Super Bowls in less than two decades under his watch, while the Cowboys haven’t even been to a Super Bowl since 1995.

There was an explanation given to Kraft and Patriots PR chief Stacey James by Hall of Fame voter Jason Cole, per the report. Kraft didn’t seem to buy the answer considering he laughed after hearing it.

Van Natta Jr. wrote:

A few minutes into the conversation, Kraft asked Cole: “How did Jerry Jones manage to get into the Hall of Fame?”

“He’s P.T. Barnum,” Cole said he replied, echoing a sentiment he said he previously had expressed when James called seeking an explanation. “He’s the greatest marketer in the history of the sport.” Cole recalled that Kraft just laughed.

One has to think Kraft will eventually get into the Hall of Fame. He’s probably hoping it happens sooner rather than later considering he’s 83 years old.

Regardless, it’s hard to understand how an owner overseeing the greatest dynasty in NFL history is somehow left out in the cold of the league’s most prestigious honor.

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WATCH: Robert Kraft gives Jerod Mayo game ball after emotional win

Jerod Mayo receives the first game ball of the season from Patriots owner Robert Kraft

The New England Patriots were riding high after Sunday’s 16-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced the first game ball of the season, and he gave it to coach Jerod Mayo.

Mayo helped the Patriots secure their first season-opening victory since the 2020 season. It was a game where the Patriots established their dominance on the ground by racking up 170 rushing yards.

The defense also stood out by holding a Joe Burrow-led Bengals team to 224 yards of total offense. Kraft was happy with the performance, and he credited the entire team for the victory before handing Mayo the game ball.

“Every one of you contributed. I’m so proud of the new players, the new coaches,” said Kraft. “People had all of the excuses. It couldn’t happen, but you all did it. I’m spoiled now. I’m going to count on a lot more.”

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1832890871609536928/

New England still has a long way to go in the 2024 season, as they continue to forge a new identity in the post-Bill Belichick era. Knocking off a likely playoff contender on the road is a great start.

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Robert Kraft reveals reason why he chose Jerod Mayo as Patriots coach

Robert Kraft explains why he picked Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft broke down why he chose Jerod Mayo to be the head coach of the organization, as the Patriots are set to begin their season on Sunday.

Mayo assumed the head coaching position after five seasons as the inside linebackers coach in New England. He fully established himself as a member of the organization both as a player and coach. That familiarity was a major reason why Kraft decided to hire him for the job.

Familiarity could also apply to the relationship between the owner and coach. Mayo played his entire career with the Patriots from 2008-2015.

Kraft recently spoke with MassLive’s Karen Guregian and discussed his thoughts on the hiring process, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Adam London.

“I just thought having him (Mayo) and Eliot (Wolf) and Matt Groh, they’re all sort of green now. They’ve all been here,” Kraft told Guregian. “But the responsibilities, at least on Eliot, and especially Jerod, are huge.

“I’m always thinking about what’s right for the long term. Our businesses are private. I don’t need to make reports to Wall Street every 90 days. I do what the right thing is strategically long term. And I think I’ve done that with Jerod. I’m going to do what my gut tells me, and stay with it until I’m convinced it’s not right.”

This will be a season of development for the rebuilding Patriots. So this was definitely a move Kraft is hoping pays off in the long term. He’s sticking with his gut on Mayo, and Patriots fans will have to trust his decision to do so.

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Patriots QB Drake Maye gets strong endorsement from Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft had high praise for Drake Maye

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft gave high praise to rookie quarterback Drake Maye during an appearance on “Zolak & Bertrand.”

Maye, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft, is still working his way through training camp. Some have questioned the team’s use of him in practice and the preseason opener. They hoped he’d have more opportunities with the starting unit at this point. Perhaps that’ll soon change.

For now, Maye has been taking everything in stride to the point where he elicited a glowing review from Kraft.

“He seems to be very sound, good values. He comes in early, works hard,” said Kraft. “All the fundamentals are there, and I think he has a good foundation, and I think working to build something very special.”

Time will tell how Maye pans out for New England. Nevertheless, a strong endorsement from the owner is certainly a step in the right direction.

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Andrew Schulz says Tom Brady roasters were told no Robert Kraft jokes

Tom Brady roasters were told no Robert Kraft massage jokes, according to comedian Andrew Schulz

Comedian Andrew Schulz is convinced the tense onstage moment between Tom Brady and fellow comedian Jeff Ross was real.

After Ross made a massage joke about owner Robert Kraft, Brady stood up from his seat and walked over to the comedian and whispered into his ear in front of a live microphone, “Don’t say that [expletive] again.”

Some believed that moment was simply a part of the show. Anyone that has ever seen a roast knows they can get nasty and few things, if any, are ever off limits. But according to Schulz, Kraft massage jokes were deemed a no-go.

“When Tom checked Jeff Ross, I think that was 100 percent real. The reason why I think it’s real is because they told us no jokes about [expletive] with Bob Kraft,” said Schulz on his “Flagrant” show. “I had a Bob Kraft tag, and they were like, ‘Tom asked if not to do anything with the massage [expletive].’ I was like, ‘Alright, cool.’ The guy is coming here for this thing, whatever. He’s not getting roasted. He’s sitting in the [expletive] stands.”

When appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show” earlier this week, Ross claimed Brady wasn’t really upset about the massage joke. He said the quarterback was having fun and showing his love for Kraft, who is like a father to him.

There also doesn’t appear to be any animosity between Ross and Kraft, either. The comedian said he had a “great talk” with the Patriots owner after the show.

“Robert Kraft loved it. We had a great talk afterwards, and he was so happy that I gave him a shoutout and a salute. It was beautiful,” said Ross.

Julian Edelman says backstage tension in room with Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick could cut glass

Julian Edelman and Drew Bledsoe gave a behind-the-scenes look at Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft being in the same room together

“The Roast of Tom Brady” Netflix special generated fireworks in more ways than one, as several former New England Patriots reunited to roast Tom Brady with their best jokes.

There were many notable names in Patriots history on the dais, including Bill Belichick, Rob Gronkowski, Randy Moss, Drew Bledsoe and Julian Edelman.

There were several memorable moments throughout the course of the night, including one where host Kevin Hart convinced Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft to take a shot together. It was one of the highlights of the night for Patriots fans, as it represented the two sides supposedly making peace with each other.

However, things were not so rosy behind the scenes. Bledsoe appeared on Edelman’s podcast “Games with Names” earlier this week, and both noted there was some visible tension behind the scenes.

“Pre-show, we’re in the green room. …Bill’s opening up, he’s having fun,” said Edelman. “He’s talking war stories, talking rookies, talking fun (expletive) — doing (expletive) we know Bill is all about. But it was like amplified because we knew he was excited to see guys, cause he doesn’t have a job anymore.”

Things were lighthearted and fun, and then Kraft walked into the room.

“And then Kraft walks in,” Bledsoe said. “Belichick’s kind of holding court. As he’s in the middle of the story, Kraft walks in and so you guys all go over to say hi to Kraft. And the last man standing, to hear him tell it, is my bro. He’s like, ‘Well, Bill’s telling this story. If I leave then he’s telling the story to nobody because everybody is saying hi to Kraft.’”

Edelman added, “The tension in that room could cut [expletive] glass. I was so awkward. I was watching Coach, and I tried to give Coach a heads up. I see Kraft walk in, and I’m like, ‘Yo, Coach, woo.'”

Both Kraft and Belichick were able to be cordial when onstage together in front of people for the first time since they announced their split. Whatever the case may be, it was still good to see Patriots of years past join together to roast the greatest quarterback of all time.

With that said, it is hard to ignore the fact that there is still tension between Kraft and Belichick.