San Francisco – Shortly after it was announced that Bill Belichick wouldn’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame, there’s news that another prominent figure from the New England Patriots dynasty faces similar ineligibility.
Despite securing six Super Bowl wins and participating in 11—including this year—Robert Kraft reportedly falls short in voting to gain entry to Canton.
When Rob Gronkowski, who celebrated three championships with New England, was asked by a San Francisco radio station about any players from the Patriots’ dynasty appearing in the Super Bowl LX, he humorously remarked, “I don’t think so.”
“I think Tom Brady will be a fourth-ballot Hall of Famer,” Gronkowski added, continuing to reflect on Kraft’s absence from the Hall of Fame. “Why isn’t he in yet? This is his 10th Super Bowl. He has been a part of this long before the Belichick-Brady era. He’s arguably the best owner in the league.”
Gronkowski also acknowledged Kraft’s contributions beyond the field, emphasizing his influence across the NFL landscape. “Not just his achievements with the Patriots, but his negotiation skills regarding TV rights and collaborations with the NFL, NFLPA, and other owners show he has a significant voice in the NFL,” he noted. “He’s played a key role in the growth of the league.”
He reiterated that given Kraft’s accomplishments in the NFL, both with the Patriots and in the broader football context, he should already have a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In a different chat with Fox News Digital the previous week, Gronkowski expressed disbelief over Belichick not being selected on the first ballot, saying, “He’s not just a great coach; he has positively impacted countless lives in football. He’s given many a fair shot at success—and it’s absurd he hasn’t been honored yet.”
Belichick and Kraft have collectively claimed the Lombardi Trophy 14 times, and there’s speculation that Belichick’s continued exclusion may be due to past controversies like Spygate and Deflategate—perhaps Kraft faces similar scrutiny now.
