| Advertisement |
HOUSTON - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft walked into a shell of 40 reporters while making his way through the team hotel and toward an event to celebrate the 2016 season with family at the JW Marriott as the clock struck 5 on Thursday. In his seventh Super Bowl as owner of the franchise, Kraft finds himself more interested in embracing the moment than the eventuality of life without Bill Belichick as head coach and Tom Brady at quarterback.
Advertisement
Belichick one hour earlier said he was not thinking about retirement. At age 64, Belichick is the second-oldest coach in the NFL behind perpetually energetic Pete Carroll of the Seahawks. Asked how long Belichick might be his coach, Kraft didn't blink.
"As long as he'd like to," Kraft said, adding that 2017 would not be his final year.
Beyond that, there appears to be no end date for Brady or Belichick.
"I don't know what it is," Kraft said of the notion Belichick has an end date in mind. "I would tell you if there was one."
Kraft would not divulge any emotions he experienced Wednesday, when he sat 15 yards from commissioner Roger Goodell in the front row for the State of the League address. Goodell defended his punishment of the Patriots - multiple draft picks, a fine and four-game suspension of Brady - but said he and Kraft remain respectful acquaintances.
"This galvanized our fan base," Kraft said, without mentioning Goodell.
Brady said Monday night he plans to play several more seasons. He chuckled and paused with a reflective smile when asked to venture a guess whether he'd retire before Belichick. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Belichick's daily commitment to excellence makes retirement unfathomable any time soon.
"Ever since I've known him I'm trying to learn from him every day and he's such a great mentor and leader to all of us, great leader for our organization," McDaniels said. "He's not slowing down."
Kraft purchased the Patriots in 1994. At the time, the Patriots had 16 wining season and three division titles, with one Super Bowl appearance - that a lopsided loss to the Chicago Bears.
Since Kraft bought the team, the Patriots have 16 division titles - including an active record eight AFC East banners in a row - among 20 winning seasons in 24 total years. The Patriots lost in one Super Bowl appearance before going 4-2 under Belichick and Brady.
Sunday offers another opportunity to add to their unrivaled success, a matter the Patriots are taking seriously.
"History speaks for itself," said Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater. "And where Coach (Bill) Belichick, Tom (Brady) and Mr. (Robert) Kraft have been able to accomplish here I think it speaks volumes to who they are, what price they've paid to the game of football, the respect they've shown it. They've had a great fortune along the way, obviously, but if we're able to win this game... You know, that's not for me to say what the legacy is. That's for you guys to say it, but I feel like it's a pretty strong one."
