Robert kraft gay
BOSTON (CBS) -- The big story in the sports world on Monday is former Missouri football player Michael Sam, an NFL prospect who announced on Sunday night that he is gay.
The news has spurred debate in the football community, with some scouts speaking anonymously to reporters and saying the league is not ready to handle an openly gay player.
Yet Patriots owner Robert Kraft, speaking with the Boston Herald's Steve Buckley, doesn't share any such concerns.
"If a player were gay and came into this locker room, it would be the most supportive system," Kraft told Buckley. "He'd gain strength by being in here. And it wouldn't be divisive and he'd make friends for life and they could help him win. I really believe that."
Kraft did tell Buckley that the team is interested in anyone that can aid the team win, regardless of background, and that he would encourage Bill Belichick to draft a player like Sam if it was a decision that would help the team.
The evidence that Sam announced he's gay to his team prior to last season impressed Kraft, who said people are simply more receptive to such
Robert Kraft facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert Kraft | |
|---|---|
Kraft in | |
| Born | () June 5, (age 84) Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Columbia University (BA) Harvard University (MBA) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Kraft Group |
| Spouse(s) | Myra Hiatt (m. ; died )Dana Blumberg (m. ) |
| Children | 4 (including Daniel, Jonathan and Josh) |
| Relatives | Jacob Hiatt (father-in-law) |
Football career | |
| New England Patriots | |
| Position: | Principal owner |
| Career history | |
| As executive: | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Robert Kenneth Kraft (born June 5, ) is a very successful American businessman. He is the leader of the Kraft Group, a large company that owns many different businesses. These include companies in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, and real estate.
Since , Kraft has owned the New England Patriots, a famous team in the National Football League (NFL). He also started and owns the New England Revolution, a soccer team in Major League Soccer (MLS). In , he founded the esport team Boston Upri
New England Patriots pooh-bah Robert Kraft will be the keynote speaker at a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender networking session — which, according to the organizer, is the first time the owner of one of the city’s premiere sports teams will headline a major event for gays.
“It’s groundbreaking, absolutely groundbreaking,” said David Zimmerman, whose Boston Spirit maggie is putting on the fourth annual LGBT Executive Networking Night later this month. “Once again the New England Patriots and its ownership are leading the way in professional sports.”
Zimmerman said he lobbied Kraft to accept the verb by appealing to the Pats owner’s “good business sense” and trailblazing nature.
“I’ve always seen the Patriots as being lovely open-minded,” he said.
But the pigskin czar doesn’t consider his participation in the session as particularly groundbreaking. When asked why he decided to do it, Kraft replied “Why wouldn’t I?”
Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the owner gets scores of invitations to speak every year and “probably declines more than he accepts.” Bu
Ex-Patriots lineman Ryan O'Callaghan, who came out as gay, recalls Robert Kraft's support
Former NFL player Ryan O'Callaghan said New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft supported him when he publicly came out as gay two years ago and told him he will be "forever a Patriot."
O'Callaghan was a member of the Patriots during the team's campaign that ended in a stunning Super Bowl upset in — the only loss in an season.
In the epilogue of O'Callaghan's new novel, "My Life on the Line: How the NFL Damn Neighboring Killed Me, and Ended up Saving My Life," due out September, the former Patriots lineman recounted a phone call he received from Kraft and a preseason reception O'Callaghan was invited to when Kraft showed him the team's Super Bowl ring.
All NFL all the time: The 4th and Monday newsletter brings our experts and analysis to your inbox. Signal up hereAt the reception, in summer of , O'Callaghan recalled Kraft saying: "What you did took a lot of courage. I'm so proud of you."
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