6 rings & football things: Checking in on the NFL Annual Meeting, Robert Kraft's press conference with Andrew Callahan
Whether it’s postseason press conferences, dynastic docuseries or annual owners meetings, New England Patriots owner and president Robert Kraft has certainly been heard from quite a bit in recent months. Given the change in his illustrious organization it makes sense that he’s out, front and center, discussing the matters at hand. And in his latest appearance on his unofficial 2024 speaking tour he holds court with perhaps his most eclectic audience yet on a number of topics on the football field and off.
Appearing on the talk show “The Shop”, Robert Kraft discusses a number of football related matters, and more. The show is an unfiltered dialogue staged in a barbershop-like setting, known for a laid back vibe that gets guests to reveal deeper truths and opinions. This is the same show where Tom Brady famously said 90% of what he says is a lie, and other tasty tidbits, a few years back.
Given that the casts usually feature prominent people from the worlds of business, sports and the arts, discussions about the current state of football, motivations for winning and how to surround yourself with the right people to get ahead in your particular discipline are expected, and found here. Of particular interest to Patriots fans might be Kraft relaying how and why he decided to hire Jerod Mayo to be the next coach of the Patriots. He describes one of the many missions he takes with players to Israel (“the holy land”), and one particular trip with Mayo in attendance, “We had a situation where there were about 15 to 18 players and I watched how Jerod worked with them and I said that’s my next head coach.”
Kraft later adds, in discussion with Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams, more context to the decision to move on from Bill Belichick and welcome in his 15th head coach. “In the last decade, the players coming into the locker room are different than when you (Adams) came in.”, continuing, “How you relate to them, how you connect, we’re the ultimate team sport. You can get paid and be number one, but in the end if you want to win you’re putting team first. And you need guys around you who do that. And this guy did it. And I think he can relate to young people today.”
Make of that in relation to who coached previously and who is coaching next what you will.
The Patriots owner and president, who’s shepherded the team for over three decades now, shares more in relation to what makes for great leaders, business success and more in the episode, which you can watch in its entirety if you click here. Kraft, who has many celebrity friends and frequent A-list visitors to his owners box at Gillette Stadium, is joined by hosts Paul Rivera and Maverick Carter and special guests actress Tiffany Haddash, Davante Adams and Kraft’s good friend, entrepreneur and Fanatics sports apparel owner Michael Rubin.
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