Consider this a learning experience: that as painful as these last few days have been, think about how common it is for fans to disagree vehemently with franchise owners. Jets fans are unhappy with Woody Johnson, Cowboys fans haven't agreed with Jerry Jones' decisions, and even respected owners like the Maras and Synders have had their share of critics over the years.
We Pats fans, on the other hand (especially us millennials who grew up as fans in the 2000s) have had the rare luxury of never having to suffer because of management. Everything that a fan could ever ask for, has been given to us. Our team has enjoyed tremendous success for 14 years, rarely missing the playoffs (whereas other teams struggle to maintain consistency); whereas other teams have gone through MULTIPLE head coaches and QBs, we have had just one legendary head coach and a hall-of-fame quarterback. Bob Kraft, meanwhile, has stayed largely in the background, never taking it upon himself to interfere with on-the-field issues. He has earned an impeccable reputation for his philanthropy, and has spent the better part of 30 years investing in the franchise, providing everything from a privately-funded stadium to vast improvements in franchise branding.
While many disagree with his handling of Spygate, he has never made a financial blunder...never hired a coach who could not display potential or competence. He has spared us, for the most part, of any sort of embarrassment that other fans have had to endure with their owners.
It can be said that as a billionaire, he has lost touch with the fans and players -- and has since accepted a dual-role as a League figure, unwilling to sacrifice his standing for the greater good of the team. But in almost every other regard, he has been a phenomenally successful owner. And I am at least, grateful for that.
Now, where was I? Or yes, back to the Kraft bashing
hehehe
