Kraft visits Israel with Super Bowl trophy
New England Patriots owner to dedicate new artificial turf in Jerusalem's Kraft Family Stadium
JERUSALEM - Robert Kraft, owner of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots, is visiting Israel for a ceremony to be held Wednesday to dedicate new artificial turf at the Jerusalem stadium bearing his family's name.
But Kraft says that when he first came to Israel on his honeymoon in 1963, it was a much different country. Because the Old City was still part of Jordan, he was unable to visit the Western Wall. He says he could not have imagined this would change during his lifetime.
"I didn’t believe I would see a free Jerusalem," he says. "I have great love for Israel, America, football and Jerusalem – and to see it all united in one city that I love - it’s a wonderful feeling."
Kraft's arrival in Israel comes just two weeks after his team won its third Super Bowl championship in the past four years. He brought with him the Vince Lombardi Trophy and he says this is the first time the trophy has left the United States.
When Kraft came to Israel the first time, he had recently completed his undergraduate studies at Columbia University, for which he received an academic scholarship. He went on to graduate business studies at Harvard.
Although today he is a successful businessman and sports owner, he grew up in a family with modest means, but one he says had an abundance of love.
Kraft strives to emulate his father, a traditional Jew he views as the most important figure in his life. He wishes his father could see him now, and he believes he would be more proud of his son’s work in creating jobs in Israel than the Super Bowl victories.
Kraft family donated initial funds to multi-purpose stadium in Jerusalem
In 1999, the Kraft family donated the initial funds to
build the multi-purpose sports facility which serves as home to the American Football League in Israel (AFI). This winter the Kraft family made an additional USD500,000 donation in order to upgrade the facility by installing the ultimate articifial grass surface for recreational areas.
Kraft has major business interests in Israel and he and his wife Myra Kraft are generous contibutors to a number of charitable causes in the country.
The stadium is home to all league activities of the AFI. More than 1000 men and women take part in the adult and teen football leagues. The top men's league includes 52 teams which compete for the Israeli championship the Holyland Bowl. There is a range of other sports leagues and groups using Kraft Family Stadium including softball, youth baseball, soccer and rugby.
