Robert Kraft was the subject of a profile on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" Tuesday night and his interview with Andrea Kremer had to have more than a few Patriots fans smiling. It wasn't just the sight of the five Lombardi Trophies sitting inside Gillette Stadium that brought about the warm feelings. Kraft's response to a question about others trying to question his team's accomplishments no doubt brought some cheers.
"Envy and jealousy are incurable diseases. The haters still hate," Kraft said. "And I understand it, and we'll do our best to keep them in that position."
Kraft admitted the fallout from the Deflategate saga weighed on him heavily but he insisted that while he would not forget about the slings and arrows sent in his direction as a result, he also would not hold a grudge.
"I go back to my Dad and he said, 'The most important thing you can earn in life is a good name.' That is impacting our good name or our reputation. And it wasn't something that I appreciated," Kraft said.
"[Tom Brady's] just not the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL, he's an amazing human being. And is genuine. And as nice as everybody thinks he is, he's nicer. And to see anyone attack him as an individual or his integrity. And that just wasn't fair."
Of course, Kraft and the entire Patriots organization received the best possible piece of revenge earlier this month when Roger Goodell was forced to hand him the latest trophy following the Patriots historic 34-28 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
"Think about the eight days I just had," Kraft added. "We had Elton John perform at a party [before the Super Bowl]. We have the Super Bowl, where from the depths of depression, we go to the elation of a victory. We have this trophy. On a snowy day in Boston, we have over a million people. And then the president invites you to dinner with the prime minister."
