New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has yet to secure a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a fact that reportedly weighs heavily on him, particularly when he considers recent inductees. According to a new profile by ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., Kraft’s frustration reached a peak in 2017 when Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was inducted.
Kraft and those close to him felt that the honor should have gone to Kraft first, based on the Patriots’ success and his significant role in turning the NFL into a multi-billion dollar empire.
Kraft’s allies were reportedly livid, reacting to Jones’ induction with “anger and confusion.” They pointed out that, in contrast to the Cowboys, the Patriots had been the dominant team in recent years, winning six Super Bowl titles under Kraft’s ownership.
For Kraft, Jones’ induction felt like a personal slight. He believed his contributions to the league, both on and off the field, far exceeded those of Jones, especially given the Cowboys’ long-standing struggles in the postseason.
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In private conversations, Kraft didn’t hold back his disappointment, reportedly saying, “He hasn’t been to the NFC title game in two decades, and he gets in? How does that work?” The remark underscored Kraft’s view that his own record of success should have earned him the Hall of Fame nod before Jones, whose team hadn’t been as competitive in recent years.
The tension between Kraft and Jones isn’t a new revelation. The two owners have had their differences, including a heated exchange at an NFL owners’ meeting two years ago, which Jones has essentially confirmed publicly.
Their rivalry goes beyond football and extends to their influence within league circles, where both hold significant power.
While Kraft’s tenure as owner has been marked by unprecedented success on the field, his Hall of Fame candidacy is not without obstacles. Controversies such as Spygate and Deflategate have tainted the Patriots’ reputation, and Kraft’s own off-field scandal has further complicated his legacy.
Despite these setbacks, Kraft continues to stand by his belief that his contributions to the game merit a place in the Hall of Fame, even as he remains on the outside looking in.
