New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft shocked players and fans when he was spotted in the stands quietly watching a gay flag football game.
And when the game ended, he made sure to say hello and take photos with everyone, offering encouragement and support to the players.
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“One of the most successful and powerful owners in pro sports was taking time out of his Saturday morning to visit a nondescript park deep in Dorchester and schmooze with gaggles of football-loving gays,” player Alex Reimer wrote on OutSports after the game. “It’s hard to imagine many other owners doing the same thing.”
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Kraft supports the team, FLAG flag football Boston, financially, but he also comes to games.
The Patriots joined the team to raise donations for Hope & Comfort, a charity that is trying to eliminate hygiene insecurity for youth and families. 25,000 items were donated.
The Patriots – and Kraft – have been staunch LGBTQ allies for years.
“We’re doing the best we can to be great allies, but we’re aspiring to be the best advocates as possible for the LGBTQ+ community,” Josh Kraft, president of the New England Patriots Foundation told Reimer. “We just have — whether it’s religious, ethnic, sexual orientation differences — we’re all the same people.”
“And on Saturday, we were all there watching football,” Reimer added.
Great to see Robert Kraft at the @FLAGFlagBoston season opener. He is cheering me on! pic.twitter.com/GeM1eRmSin
— Alex Reimer (@AlexReimer1) September 18, 2021
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