The Bob Kraft incident

[IceSpeed2]

This could belong in Happy Hour, but it does relate to the status of the NFL's foreign expansion.

Patriot's owner Bob Kraft went to Russia for a business meeting(I think
it was for his packaging company). He met Vladmir Putin and
allowed the Premier to try on his Super Bowl ring. Although it is
common for players to let close friends and fans try their rings on in
this country, Putin interpreted the $50,000 ring as a gift. He
reportedly said "Thank You" and walked away with the ring in his
pocket.

I guess the NFL really has not reached out to
foreigners much. If Putin did not know that it was a custom to
return the ring, the NFL must stuggle with getting people to watch
overseas. However, they always talk about how popular they are
with foreigners.

 

[Gary]

Putin has a Black Belt in Judo if Kraft wants the ring back let him try to take it back.Maybe the NFL should tap Russia for talent-the only problem is in 10 years the NFL would be filled with Russians like Hockey and Boxing!!!

 

[Bart]

This story iscurious.Putin's heritage has been a matter of debate.There are three possibilities in my mind.


1) Putin misunderstood the gesture and thought the ring was given to him or the National Treasury.


2) If Putin is an ethnic Russian, he may havetaken the opportunityto restore some of the loot that wasplundered from RussiabyKraft'sJewish kinsmen.


3)If Putin does indeedshare the blood of Kaganovich, Andropov and the semitic tribe which ravaged Russia, well then, it was probably just a pretty slick move.

 

[IceSpeed2]

Kraft said he gave the ring to Putin because he has
ancestors from Russia/Russian heritage and respects Putin. He did
not make any comments relating to Karzar heritage or pogroms.