Bob Kraft Chartering Plane for Pats to attend Hill Wake & Funeral

[DarrylS]

Not at all surprised that Bob Kraft would do this as we have come to expect this type of behavior for our owner, a true class act who seems to always do the right thing. Most will be in town for passing camp, will make the logistics easier, and the players can concentrate on business.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

May 29, 2007
Pats to attend
While details are still being finalized, Patriots chairman/CEO Robert Kraft has arranged for a charter flight so all members of the team can attend funeral services for Marquise Hill in Louisiana.

With the Patriots scheduled to hold a passing camp Thursday and Friday, Kraft's gesture will make it easier for those players who would be scrambling to make last-minute travel plans from New England.

 

[ironwasp]

I would expect the Krafts and the organisation to do a great deal for Hill and his family.

The chances are, we will never hear about a lot of it, but we know they'll be doing what's right, because they always do.

 

[Pats726]

I agree totally..a LOT of what the Pats and Kraft do is always behind the scenes more substance than hype and photo op...which is why it's really a LOT deeper...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

There were two years remaining on his rookie deal totaling about a million dollars plus some unspecified escalators. I'm also confident that his family will see that. Because while this franchise is careful with it's financial resources, they are anything but cheap when it comes to taking care of guys who have put in the effort to do their job.

 

[Danny Boy®]

The chances are, we will never hear about a lot of it,

LOL....his PR firm already sent out what they needed.

Hey everybody!...check me out...I'm paying!

 

[Patriotic]

Hey everybody!...check me out...I'm paying!

From what we know about you from your truly annoying posts, the above words would never be said by you at your Guinness watering hole.

 

[italian pat patriot]

i'm always proud to be a Patriot fan and i was sure that Mr Kraft was doing something concrete (in this case chartering a plane for attending the funeral)

also in the very bad moments we have to be proud about our franchise

R.I.P. Marquise # 91

 

[BrianPat]

LOL....his PR firm already sent out what they needed.

Hey everybody!...check me out...I'm paying!

I see no press release, I see a comment in MR's blog on Boston.com. It very well could have come from a member of the team or someone asked if they were going to attend. Your comment has no standing !

 

[PatsFanSince74]

LOL....his PR firm already sent out what they needed.

Hey everybody!...check me out...I'm paying!

I'm not naive enough to insist that it's impossible that there is a glimmer of truth in what you wrote, but the bottom line is that Bob Kraft is "paying," which many would not be doing and which most would be doing at a far lower level, whatever their wealth. Your comment makes me think that you must approach perfection in your own life, or you wouldn't be criticizing someone like Kraft.

I'd suggest that you use your energy to pick better targets for your rips than a guy who's going to shell out, of his own pocket, a few million dollars that he doesn't "have to" pay if he continues Hill's salary over the next two years, not to mention chartering a full size jet for his funeral. Remember, every dollar that the Patriots organization spends that it doesn't "have to" spend comes directly from Kraft's own pocket.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well I think that it's a nice gesture. Marquise Hill will be missed. And his sudden loss was shocking for a lot of his teammates. They do need to go through the grieving process, especially those that were close to him and hung out with him on a daily basis.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

There were two years remaining on his rookie deal totaling about a million dollars plus some unspecified escalators. I'm also confident that his family will see that. Because while this franchise is careful with it's financial resources, they are anything but cheap when it comes to taking care of guys who have put in the effort to do their job.

My opinion is that the pats probably have life insurance on all of their players, and thats what the family will get. Also, Hill may also of carried insurance on himself. Alot of disability insurances (which I cannot see a pro football player without) have a flat payout in case of accidental death.

If not, I have no doubt that the organization will step up in some manner.

 

[DaBruinz]

My opinion is that the pats probably have life insurance on all of their players, and thats what the family will get. Also, Hill may also of carried insurance on himself. Alot of disability insurances (which I cannot see a pro football player without) have a flat payout in case of accidental death.

If not, I have no doubt that the organization will step up in some manner.

A lot of those policies also get voided if they determine negligence was involved. The fact that they were riding a jetski at night and without PFDs could, very well, void whatever policies there were on him. But its something we will never know because it won't come out.

No matter what, I am sure the Krafts will make sure that Marquise's baby and his fiance' are taken care of.

 

[BelichickFan]

No matter what, I am sure the Krafts will make sure that Marquise's baby and his fiance' are taken care of.

Given that through his signing bonus and contract he has already raked in a little over $2M I'd say that his baby is already taken care of. Perspective, people

 

[Fencer]

Kraft is the sort of guy who does the generous right thing.

That's far from being bad business.

But it also seems pretty genuine.


I was about to say that this isn't the best example, however, because every other team would have done the same thing, probably even the Cincinatti Skinflints. But DID the Broncos do the same thing, or the Vikings are few years ago? I honestly don't know. Nor do I know if the circumstances are comparable; e.g., the whole team together, but the dead guy being buried out of town.

 

[mtbykr]

LOL....his PR firm already sent out what they needed.

Hey everybody!...check me out...I'm paying!

What PR firm??? Kraft doing the right thing (as usual) and still there are moron's like you looking for a way to bash him

 

[DaBruinz]

Given that through his signing bonus and contract he has already raked in a little over $2M I'd say that his baby is already taken care of. Perspective, people

It all depends on what Marquise spent that money on. OH, of which a 3rd went to the US Government. So, you're only talking about 1.4 Million. And its known that Marquise donated quite a bit of money and goods to helping Katrina Victims. There is no telling how much of that 1.4 million is around.

 

[Born_a_Patriot]

It all depends on what Marquise spent that money on. OH, of which a 3rd went to the US Government. So, you're only talking about 1.4 Million. And its known that Marquise donated quite a bit of money and goods to helping Katrina Victims. There is no telling how much of that 1.4 million is around.

That's True.

 

[BelichickFan]

It all depends on what Marquise spent that money on. OH, of which a 3rd went to the US Government. So, you're only talking about 1.4 Million. And its known that Marquise donated quite a bit of money and goods to helping Katrina Victims. There is no telling how much of that 1.4 million is around.

Yeah I know but unless a LOT of money went to charity, he's not really owed anything. He's made as much in 3 years as many of us will make in a lifetime. I'd probably pay out his contract if I were Kraft, that's another $1M, but it's difficult to feel bad, financially, for those he left behind.

 

[shmessy]

LOL....his PR firm already sent out what they needed.

Hey everybody!...check me out...I'm paying!

This world needs:

1) more Bob Krafts

and

2) fewer Danny Boys.

 

[patchick]

Yeah I know but unless a LOT of money went to charity, he's not really owed anything. He's made as much in 3 years as many of us will make in a lifetime. I'd probably pay out his contract if I were Kraft, that's another $1M, but it's difficult to feel bad, financially, for those he left behind.

After the death was confirmed, I tried to think about what I'd do if I were the Patriots' brass. FWIW, my quick list was:

- Charter plane to the funeral (clear no-brainer)
- Offer administrative/legal assistance to Hill's family to establish a non-profit trust to benefit his son, and seed it with a generous contribution
- Make bereavement counseling available to players throughout the season

Paying out the balance of his contract wasn't on my list.