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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRobert Kraft would welcome Michael Sam to Pats: 'We're about winning'
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So it's not surprising that Kraft said Monday that if former Missouri linebacker Michael Sam, who announced Sunday that he is gay, can help the Patriots win, he'd be a welcome addition to the team.
"We're about winning," Kraft told the Boston Herald. "And anyone who can come in here and help us win, I personally don't care what their ethnic background is, their racial background, the gender preference. If they can help us win, and they're about team first, then I'm happy to have him here."
Kraft says he hasn't spoken to Belichick about Sam but added that "he knows that I would encourage him if (Sam) can help us win."
Earlier Monday, Steelers safety Ryan Clark voiced concerns about what teammates could and couldn't say to Sam in an NFL locker room. Kraft suggested that the Pats' locker room culture would embrace and support Sam.
If a player were gay and came into this locker room, it would be the most supportive system, the owner said. He'd gain strength by being in here. And it wouldn't be divisive and he'd make friends for life and they could help him win.
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24438764/robert-kraft-would-welcome-michael-sam-were-about-winning
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)on his FB page.
cali
(114,904 posts)He'd be a great Patriot. If he can help the Pats win, we're happy.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)eissa
(4,238 posts)I always took him to be an Elway-like teabagger. Don't ask me where I got that impression -- I know it was something he said or did, but can't even remember what it was at this point.
Timez Squarez
(262 posts)I think his views are in line with gay rights...
cali
(114,904 posts)<snip>
Patriots owner Robert Kraft has given $5,000 -- the maximum allowed under federal election law -- to Obama. Jets owner Woody Johnson not only has funneled the same amount to Romney, he serves as the New York finance chairman for the former Massachusetts governor who is a Patriots fan.
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The total score, based on the most recent information on donations directly to the candidates from the NFL ownership ranks: Romney $63,500; Obama $12,500.
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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2012/10/presidential_elections.html
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Only New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whos overseen three Super Bowl-winning teams, has heavily favored Democrats and given enough to make the top 10 contributors list. Of the $33,600 he has contributed since 2009, only $4,800 went to Republicans.
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http://www.printkiller.com/sports/2011/10/so-is-your-favorite-nfl-team-a-democrat-or-a-republican/
bullwinkle428
(20,629 posts)having MS on the Broncos, so now even hardcore teabag types are open to the idea!
Yavin4
(35,445 posts)Just kidding. Just a little joke.
Good for Kraft and the Pats.
malthaussen
(17,215 posts)Repeated a couple of times: "If he could help us win."
Back in the bad old days, many baseball owners would claim they would sign black ballplayers "if they had the ability." Funny thing, so many of them seemed to lack that ability.
-- Mal
cali
(114,904 posts)who they didn't think would help them win????
malthaussen
(17,215 posts)If not, my thought is that "if he can help us win" could easily be code for "not in this lifetime."
-- Mal
cali
(114,904 posts)he clearly meant it.
malthaussen
(17,215 posts)... so in this case my cynicism is probably ill-founded.
-- Mal
former9thward
(32,065 posts)He is 6'2 and 255 lbs which is small for a defensive end in the NFL. Normally they are about 300 lbs at least. That will be his main problem not being gay.
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)Sam would have a tough go playing off the blocks of an OT outweighing him by 50/70 lbs. and four inches taller as a DE in the NFL.
former9thward
(32,065 posts)Dan Kadar, SB Nation's NFL draft editor, has tweeted several times about Sam's prospects as a linebacker. "He struggled big time at the Senior Bowl working as a linebacker," Kadar wrote Sunday. "Just looked lost in space. I don't see top 100."
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/10/274637570/coming-out-has-complicated-players-prospects-nfl-execs-say
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)factor.
He seems smart enough and has the athletic ability, and if he is willing to be coached at the new position he just might be a steal for some team in the draft.
pipi_k
(21,020 posts)to the Patriots, I can almost guarantee that the coaching staff there would try everything they could to find some position where he could excel, even if it's not being a DE.
Arkana
(24,347 posts)He's big enough to play with a hand on the ground but fast enough to rush the passer standing.
JRLeft
(7,010 posts)dilby
(2,273 posts)and Tim did not make the roster, this is a man true to his word he does not pickup players because they are popular he does it because they help the team win football games. I am a huge fan of Tim Tebow and Michael Sam and I agree with Craft put the best player on the field not the player that will earn you votes or likes on facebook. Michael will get drafted and hopefully he will be wearing a brown and orange jersey of my Browns.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)He just wasn't cut out to be an NFL quarterback.
dilby
(2,273 posts)If you looked at this last season there were a lot of quarterbacks who were way worse than him however he does bring a circus with him so sometimes it's better to go with a terrible quarterback and throw the season away than to go with a slightly better quarterback but have every news report be about him and not the rest of the team.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)He was third on their qb chart behind Dan Marino and his backup.
He stayed for several year by having a high motor and becoming a special teams maven and a third down back/receiver.
I could see that for Tebow.
IMHO, hating somebody for being a Fundamentalist, presuming he or she isn't judgmental, is as bad as hating somebody for being gay, Jewish, African American, liberal, et cetera.
dilby
(2,273 posts)I love good players who do positive things in their community and for others. One reason I like Tim Tebow and Richard Sherman, both are good players who do positive things for their community.
dionysus
(26,467 posts)Mike Daniels
(5,842 posts)The Russell Wilson was God this, God that during his post game interview after the Super Bowl and Kaepernick is no less showy than Tebow what with his scripture tattoos/art on his arms.
I'll give Tebow points for self-deprecation as the commercials he was in during the Super Bowl were probably among the more entertaining ones during the entire game.
dionysus
(26,467 posts)and perhaps do well.
pipi_k
(21,020 posts)After the laughingstock the Jets made of Tebow, he did gain back some measure of dignity after his time with NE, even though it didn't work out.
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)He's a good guy
HERVEPA
(6,107 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)MissMillie
(38,574 posts)They got rid of Hernandez right away.
AND they had a pretty good season despite a plethora of injuries.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)MissMillie
(38,574 posts)I suppose they were supposed to KNOW he was going to be charged with murder 3 years later?
Arkana
(24,347 posts)is incredible. Dude puts me in mind of Willie McGinest.