If you walked into Robert Kraft’s house in Brookline on a cold March day in 2020, you would’ve seen something most NFL fans couldn't imagine. Tom Brady—the guy who spent two decades looking like a literal machine on the field—was crying. He didn’t just call his boss to quit. He showed up at the front door, hugged the man he calls "Papi," and wept because he knew he was finally leaving the New England Patriots.
It’s weird, honestly. Most player-owner relationships are basically just business deals. You play, I pay, we both try to win a ring. But Robert Kraft and Tom Brady were never just a transaction. It was more like a father-son dynamic that somehow survived the most intense pressure cooker in sports history.
People always ask: was there beef? Did they hate each other by the end? The truth is a lot messier and more interesting than a simple "yes" or "no."
The Skinny Kid with the Pizza Box
Most people know the legendary "I’m the best decision this organization has ever made" line. Brady said it to Kraft while carrying a pizza box during his first training camp. Kraft actually thought he was a sixth-round nobody and supposedly called him "Kyle" early on (confusing him with Kyle Brady).
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Imagine that.
The guy who would go on to win six Super Bowls in Foxborough was initially just a scrawny kid from Michigan who Kraft barely recognized. But that connection grew into something deep. When Kraft’s wife, Myra, was passing away in 2011, Brady was there. He wasn't just the quarterback; he was family. He even flew to Costa Rica for Brady's wedding and, years later, Brady returned the favor by attending Kraft’s wedding to Dana Blumberg, even though it meant skipping a team walkthrough.
You don't do that for a "boss."
Why the Breakup Was So Brutal
The real tension didn't start with Kraft. It started with the "difficult arrangement" Brady lived under for his last decade in New England. That’s how Kraft puts it now. Basically, it was the friction between Brady’s desire for long-term security and Bill Belichick’s "do your job" ruthlessness.
By 2020, the vibes were off. Kraft was stuck in the middle.
On one hand, he had the greatest coach ever. On the other, he had the "son" he’d watched grow up. Kraft actually told Brady he wouldn't allow the team to franchise tag him. He gave Brady the power to walk away because he loved him too much to trap him.
Some fans still blame Kraft for not forcing Belichick to keep Brady. Honestly, it's a fair critique. But Kraft felt he had to let the football guys do football things. It’s a decision that clearly still haunts the building a little bit, especially after seeing Brady win a seventh ring in Tampa.
That Hall of Fame Night and the Statue
Fast forward to June 12, 2024. Kraft did something he’s never done: he threw out the rulebook. He waived the four-year waiting period to put Brady into the Patriots Hall of Fame immediately.
Why 6/12/24?
- 6 rings.
- Number 12.
- 24 years since he was drafted.
Kraft even retired the number 12 jersey right then and there. No one will ever wear it again in New England. He also announced a 12-foot bronze statue of Brady will be built outside the Hall of Fame. It’s a massive "I love you" from an owner who knows his legacy is tied to that one player forever.
Business, Cards, and $9 Billion
They still hang out constantly. Just recently, Kraft dropped $120,000 on a Tom Brady rookie card at a Sotheby’s auction while sitting right next to Brady.
They also share a massive business network through Michael Rubin and Fanatics. When Kraft sold an 8% stake in the Patriots recently—valuing the team at roughly $9 billion—some wondered why Brady didn't buy in. It turns out Brady was already deep into buying a piece of the Las Vegas Raiders. From a business perspective, it made more sense for Brady to be a bigger fish in the Vegas pond than a tiny minority owner in New England.
But don't get it twisted. Even though Brady is a "Raider" owner now, his heart—and his statue—is in Foxborough.
What This Relationship Teaches Us
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s this: loyalty in professional sports is rare, but it’s real. Most dynasties end in lawsuits or public screaming matches. This one ended with tears on a doorstep and a $120k souvenir.
Next steps to follow the legacy:
- Watch "The Dynasty" on Apple TV+: Kraft actually admitted he felt bad that it focused so much on the controversies (like Deflategate and Aaron Hernandez). It gives you a look at just how strained things got.
- Visit Patriot Place: If you're ever in Massachusetts, that new 12-foot statue is going to be the ultimate selfie spot for any football fan.
- Watch Brady's Broadcaster Debut: He’s now the lead analyst for FOX. Notice how he talks about the Patriots; he still says "we" sometimes, and that comes straight from his bond with Kraft.
This isn't just a sports story. It's about two guys who changed each other's lives over two decades and decided to stay friends when the money and the fame finally stopped being enough.