Pro football players touchdown in Israel
Patriots owner Robert Kraft arrives in Jewish state for a week of events with 19 football hall-of-famers.
Jewish philanthropist and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is participating in this week of festivities alongside Israel’s Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer. Kraft and the Kraft family have been sponsoring football in Israel since 1999, with the building of the Kraft Family Stadium in Jerusalem. Dermer is also a former quarterback for the Israeli (non-tackle) national team, and is in the American Football in Israel Hall of Fame.
Some of the players attending the week-long celebration include Green Bay Packers great Jim Taylor, former Patriots and Jets running back Curtis Martin, former Baltimore Colts wide receiver Raymond Berry, and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Curley Culp.
On Thursday, Israeli Football League (IFL) champions the Judean Rebels played against Israel’s new national tackle team in a game of scrimmage, where the former pro players acted as "honorary coaches" on the sidelines.
On Sunday, Kraft and Dermer were joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker and American Football in Israel President Steve Leibowitz at Kraft Stadium.
The Hall-of-Famers were also slated to lead breakout sessions, "where they will individually share football tips, stories, and pose for photos with Israeli players and fans," according to a press release.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life .
