Robert Kraft has been the owner of the New England Patriots since 1994 and has been the pinnacle of sports ownership in North America.

Olivia Falcigno via Imagn Content Services, LLC, USA Today

Six Super Bowl trophies, 10 appearances , and a thriving business have left Kraft among the wealthiest people in the United States. Despite that wealth, the Massachusetts native isn’t too pleased with where we are as a country.

“I don’t recognize parts of this nation,” he said in an interview with USA TODAY Sports. “I don’t like where we’re headed. I’m worried about our country right now.”

A big part of Kraft’s concern comes from his Jewish heritage. Despite years of fighting antisemitism and fostering racial togetherness, the 82-year-old has seen his concern over rising racial and spiritual tensions grow in recent years.

It’s those tensions and increasing examples of Jewish hate that have left the Patriots owner highly concerned.

“I saw men dressed up as Nazis in Charlottesville yelling, ‘Jews will not replace us,'” Kraft said. “There was the Tree of Life massacre. None of this should be happening in the United States of America.”

Kraft likened rising tensions to Nazi, Germany in the 1930s – the start of the systematic genocide of the Jews of Europe.

“I want to prevent us from getting to the 1940s.”

Kraft has reportedly purchased a commercial ad spot to play during Super Bowl LVIII to highlight the rising rates of antisemitism and why we must not go back to the hate that was once a major part of America.

“I’m worried about what’s going on with younger Americans, especially with Black and Jewish Americans,” he said. “I feel like we need to repair that relationship.”

Until that relationship is repaired, it appears Kraft will continue to see a country he does not recognize in everyday life. And it’s not something he is very pleased about.

Written by Nick Faria for Patriots Country ~ February 11, 2024