Robert Kraft's Stolen Super Bowl Ring: The Putin Controversy
Could a simple gesture of respect morph into an international incident, leaving a Super Bowl ring in the possession of a world leader? The saga of Robert Kraft's missing Super Bowl XXXIX ring, allegedly "gifted" to Vladimir Putin, unveils a complex web of diplomacy, power, and the enduring allure of a championship trophy.
The story, now a well-trodden path in the annals of sports and international relations, begins in 2005. It was a year of triumph for the New England Patriots, who, fresh off their Super Bowl XXXIX victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, embarked on a post-season visit to Russia. Leading the delegation was Robert Kraft, the Patriots' owner, a man known for his business acumen and his team's unprecedented success under his leadership. This trip, ostensibly a diplomatic and business mission, would forever link Kraft's name to that of Vladimir Putin, the then-president of Russia, in a manner far beyond the usual transactional nature of international meetings.
The details of the fateful encounter, recounted in various reports and biographies, paint a picture of a seemingly innocuous exchange that spiraled into controversy. As American business leaders gathered for a photo opportunity with Putin, Kraft, at the suggestion of a fellow attendee, showcased his prized Super Bowl ring. The Russian leader, intrigued by the ring's size and the glint of its 124 diamonds, reportedly admired it and, according to the initial accounts, simply took it. Kraft, initially taken aback, later received what was described as an explanation that the ring was now a gift to Russia, a gesture of goodwill and respect.
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| Full Name | Robert K. Kraft |
| Born | June 5, 1941 (age 83) |
| Birthplace | Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Columbia University (B.A., M.B.A.) |
| Occupation | Businessman, Philanthropist |
| Known For | Owner of the New England Patriots |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | $11.1 Billion (as of November 2024) |
| Super Bowl Titles (as Owner) | XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII |
| Marital Status | Married to Dana Blumberg (2022 present); previously married to Myra Hiatt Kraft (1963-2011) |
| Children | Jonathan Kraft, Daniel Kraft, Joshua Kraft, David Kraft |
| Philanthropic Activities | The Kraft Group, supporting various causes including education, healthcare, and Jewish organizations. |
| Controversies | Accusations and events related to the Super Bowl ring and the massage parlor case. |
| Link to Official Website | New England Patriots Official Website |
The narrative of the missing ring quickly took hold. "Days later, a statement came from kraft, and all of the sudden, the owner's stolen super bowl ring was now officially a gift to russia," as one account puts it. While the Patriots organization and Kraft himself have offered differing explanations over time, the core of the story remained: a prized possession of significant sentimental and monetary value had ended up in the Kremlin.
Barstool Sports, among other media outlets, captured the essence of the narrative with their caption for a video: "The story of how Vladimir Putin stole a super bowl ring from Robert Kraft." This post, drawing hundreds of thousands of views, underscores the public fascination with the incident, which combined the high-stakes world of professional sports with the enigmatic aura of the Russian presidency.
Kraft's own comments further fueled the controversy. "I was willing to have one made with his name on it," he reportedly told Fox News, indicating a willingness to rectify the situation, perhaps to prevent a diplomatic row or simply to move beyond the awkwardness. The fact that the Patriots owner seemed to be in a difficult position, and that he was willing to accommodate the demands of a world leader, added to the intriguing aspects of the story.
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The backdrop of the 2005 visit provided essential context. As the Patriots had just triumphed in Super Bowl XXXIX, the trip to Russia served both as a celebration and a gesture of goodwill. Kraft's presence, alongside other prominent American business figures, was seen as a chance to foster closer economic ties between the United States and Russia. However, the seemingly harmless act of showing off the Super Bowl ring would soon transform into an international incident. The story of Kraft "messing with President Putin" became a recurring theme, adding a touch of humor to the high-stakes power dynamic.
In the accounts that followed, the specifics of the ring's disappearance varied. As the narrative solidified, the story went from a misunderstanding to an outright claim of theft. The phrase, "So yes, putin asked and kraft" became the shorthand for this event, acknowledging the moment when Putin allegedly made a direct request and Kraft complied.
Details from the book "The Dynasty" by Jeff Benedict shed light on the events in Russia. "Afterward, as the american business leaders posed for a group photo with putin, weill encouraged kraft to show his super bowl ring to the russian leader. Kraft retrieved it from his pocket and handed it to putin," the author wrote. According to Benedict, Putin admired the ring and its 124 diamonds.
The value of the ring extends far beyond its material components. As the story circulated, it served as a symbol of American dominance in professional football and the extraordinary allure of a Super Bowl victory. The fact that "Putin could kill someone with" the ring added a layer of intrigue and even dark humor to the incident. The value of such items is readily demonstrated in auction scenarios where "Super bowl rings can fetch much more when they are auctioned, depending on who wore them." For instance, "The 1991 super bowl ring of hall of famer lawrence taylor sold last year at auction for more than $230,000."
Kraft has an impressive collection of six Super Bowl titles XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, and LIII each a testament to the team's accomplishments. However, the narrative surrounding the XXXIX ring, which ended up in Russia, gives a very unique twist to his success. This incident has cemented his place in the annals of both sports and international incidents.
The story doesn't end with the ring's disappearance. The new england patriots owner robert kraft claimed that russian president vladimir putin stole his super bowl ring back in 2005. The narrative was that the ring was "a gift," as kraft explained. In fact, the official version was that the ring was a gift to Putin.
The account has, of course, been re-visited. In 2024, "On may 6, 2024, barstool sports posted a video clip from one of its podcasts in which the hosts described how russian president vladimir putin once stole a super bowl ring from new england," reiterating the details and sustaining the intrigue around the incident. "A close second comes robert kraft, who is the proud owner of six super bowl rings," a testament to the team's accomplishments. However, the twist here is that the footballer only gets to own five of them, having lent one to russian prime minister vladimir putin.
The incident continues to fascinate. In 2005, kraft visited russia after winning his third super bowl and had the pleasure of meeting the leader. Even amidst the ongoing complexities of international relations, the details of this encounter continue to be revisited. The situation highlights how the simple details of a sports event can sometimes morph into a symbol of international relations.
Adding further complexity, the story continues to attract contradictory perspectives. "Russian president vladimir putin denies that he stole robert kraft's super bowl xxxix ring as kraft claims." The official position, at least at the time, was that the ring was a gift. Putin released a statement saying he believed the ring was a gift. This difference of opinion highlights the murky nature of the incident and how its true details may never be fully established.
The events of 2005 and the loss of Kraft's ring have since become part of sports lore. As the 2025 Super Bowl approaches, the story serves as a reminder of how sports and politics intersect in unexpected ways. "Kraft, 83, visited russia on a business trip in 2005 and found himself shaking hands with putin, before showing off the super bowl ring he had only recently collected at the time," a simple gesture that turned into a narrative for the ages.
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