It’s been almost two decades since Robert Kraft’s Super Bowl championship ring went missing, allegedly swiped by none other than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
And during a recent broadcast of The Roast of Tom Brady on Netflix, Kraft made sure to remind Putin of the unresolved matter.
Raising a glass in tribute to Brady, Kraft seized the moment to address Putin directly, demanding the return of his long-lost ring with colorful language: “In case Vladimir Putin you’re watching, give me my f**king ring back, will ya?”
The saga dates back to 2005 when Kraft met Putin at an event in Saint Petersburg and, as the story goes, Putin admired the ring, even suggesting its deadly potential. But what followed left Kraft without his prized possession, as Putin reportedly pocketed the ring, surrounded by KGB guards, and made a swift exit.
Initially, Kraft was advised by White House officials to claim that the ring was gifted to Putin willingly. But over the years, he’s been candid about his attachment to the ring, emphasizing its sentimental value as a symbol of the Patriots’ Super Bowl triumph.
Despite Kremlin officials asserting that the ring resides in the Kremlin library among other foreign gifts, Kraft’s demand for its return remains steadfast.
Meanwhile, during the roast, jests flew freely, with comedian Jeff Ross poking fun at Kraft’s past legal entanglements, and former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman playfully teasing Kraft about future encounters. However, Kraft was quick to give back as good as he got, serving up a witty retort to Edelman’s jest.