When Robert Kraft wakes up on Monday morning, he will be the most successful owner the NFL has ever seen regardless of how Super Bowl LX goes. His six Super Bowl wins are already unmatched among principle
owners, and so is his franchise reaching 11 title games in his 32-year tenure so far.
And yet, despite all of those credentials, Kraft will not wake up as a Pro Football Hall of Famer. As was reported on Tuesday, the 50 voters decided against inducting him — a 14th straight year he has been considered a candidate but one not worthy of the famous golden jacket.
For his team’s head coach, that fact is “unfortunate.”
Speaking to the media at the team hotel in Santa Clara, Mike Vrabel was asked right away about Kraft’s unsuccessful candidacy.
“I would say that in my experiences with Robert, he’s more than deserving and he’ll be in the Hall of Fame. I’m not in charge of deciding when that happens,” Vrabel said. “I appreciate the relationship that I’ve had with him, and the success as a player and now as a coach. He’s done everything that we’ve needed, and provided the support that we’ve needed as a staff and as a team.”
Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994, and with Vrabel on the team as a starting linebacker won his first three Super Bowl rings in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He since added three more and is now in position to get a seventh championship that would put him in rarefied air.
Only three other people have reached that number so far in NFL annals. Fellow Hall of Fame snub Bill Belichick won eight rings over his career, with Tom Brady as well as longtime 49ers and Broncos executive Neal Dahlen earning seven apiece.
“I’m glad that he’s back here continuing to help us do things that will help the team win,” Vrabel said of Kraft, “and ultimately allow him to be recognized.”
