Small Town Dreams
On a sunny morning in Brookline, Massachusetts, a young boy named Robert Kraft walked down the street with a big smile on his face. The year was 1950, and little Robert had big dreams in his heart.
"Mom, can I go watch the football game today?" young Robert asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
His mother, Sarah, looked at him with kind eyes. "First, help in the dress shop, then you can go."
Robert grew up in a small house where everyone worked hard. His father Harry worked as a dress maker. The family wasn't rich, but they taught Robert important things about working hard and being kind.
Every Sunday, Robert would sit with his dad and listen to football games on the radio. They didn't have much money for tickets, but that didn't stop them from dreaming.
"One day," Robert would say, "I want to own a football team!"
His friends would laugh, but Robert didn't mind. He knew that big dreams start small.
Learning About Business
At school, Robert was a good student. But what he really loved was math and counting money. He helped in his father's dress shop after school, learning how to:
• Talk to customers
• Count money carefully
• Work hard every day
• Be honest in business
• Help others succeed
"Remember, Robert," his father would say, "treat everyone with respect. Rich or poor, everyone matters."
Young Robert took these words to heart. He played with friends in the neighborhood and always included everyone in the games. Even then, he was learning to be a leader.
“My father taught me that the most precious thing you can give someone is your time,” Robert would later say about his childhood lessons.
The Paper Route Dream
At age 12, Robert started his first real business – a paper route. He woke up early every morning, rain or shine, to deliver newspapers. Some mornings were cold, and his fingers would freeze, but he never quit.
"Want to know why I work so hard?" he asked his friend Tommy one day. "Because I believe if you work hard enough, dreams come true."
Each penny he earned, he saved carefully. His mother helped him open his first bank account. The teller smiled when little Robert came in with his coins wrapped neatly in paper.
At the synagogue, Robert learned about giving back to others. His family didn't have much, but they always shared what they had. This taught Robert that being successful meant helping others too.
As the years went by, Robert kept growing and learning. He played sports at Brookline High School and was good at his studies. But most importantly, he never stopped dreaming big.
One evening, as the sun set over Brookline, Robert sat on his front steps. He looked at the orange sky and smiled. He didn't know it yet, but those small-town dreams would take him far – all the way to owning one of the most successful football teams in history.
But that was still many years away. For now, young Robert Kraft was just a boy from Brookline, Massachusetts, with big dreams and an even bigger heart. The real adventure was just beginning.
Building the Business Foundation
After college, Robert Kraft knew he needed to work hard to make his dreams come true. He started working at his father-in-law’s paper company, Rand-Whitney.
“I want to learn everything about this business,” Robert told his wife Myra. She smiled, knowing how determined he was.
It wasn’t easy. Robert had to be very clever with money. He borrowed some and used his savings. In 1968, he became the owner of Rand-Whitney. He was only 27 years old!
Growing the Business
“Good morning, everyone!” Robert would say each day as he walked into the office. He knew all his workers by name. He treated them like family.
Under Robert’s leadership, the company did very well. He made smart choices:
• Bought more paper companies
• Made new products
• Hired good people
• Treated customers well
• Saved money wisely
“Success isn’t just about making money,” Robert would tell his team. “It’s about building something that lasts.”
Making Smart Moves
Robert started a new company called International Forest Products. This company helped him do business all over the world! He sold paper to people in many different countries.
But Robert never forgot about his dream of owning a football team. Every time he made money from his paper business, he saved some for his big dream.
Family and Business
“Daddy, will you teach me about business?” his son Jonathan asked one day.
“Of course!” Robert smiled. He taught his children the same lessons he learned as a boy – work hard, be honest, and help others.
Robert and Myra also gave money to help others. They built libraries and helped hospitals . They remembered what it was like to not have much money, so they wanted to help people who needed it.
Getting Ready for Sports
In 1974, Robert made an exciting move. He bought some land near the football stadium where the New England Patriots played. Many people thought this was strange.
“Why buy land there?” they asked.
Robert just smiled. He knew something they didn’t – sometimes you have to plan ahead for your dreams!
Every Sunday, he would still watch football games. But now, instead of listening on the radio like when he was a boy, he watched from better seats. He studied how football teams worked. He learned about what made them successful.
By the late 1980s, Robert’s paper business was very successful. He had built something amazing from hard work and smart choices. But his biggest adventure was still ahead.
The little boy who once sold newspapers outside a stadium was now a successful businessman. He had the money, the knowledge, and the dream. Soon, he would have a chance to buy the team he had loved since childhood – the New England Patriots.
But that’s another exciting part of the story…
The Patriots Pursuit
The year was 1988. Robert Kraft’s dream of owning the Patriots was about to take its first big step.
While most people were watching football games, Robert was watching the stadium. The old Foxboro Stadium wasn’t doing very well. The Patriots’ owner was having money problems.
“Why would you buy an old stadium?” people asked.
“Sometimes you need to take small steps to reach big dreams,” Robert answered with a smile.
A Smart Plan
Robert knew something very important: The Patriots had to play their games in his stadium. Without a stadium, they couldn’t play football!
When other people tried to buy the Patriots and move them to another city, Robert wouldn’t let them. The team had to stay in his stadium because of their contract.
“The Patriots belong to New England,” Robert said. “They’re not going anywhere.”
The Big Chance
In 1994, something exciting happened. The Patriots were for sale!
But there was a problem. The team wasn’t doing well:
• They lost lots of games
• Not many fans came to watch
• The stadium was old
• They were losing money
• Other cities wanted to take the team away
Many people thought buying the Patriots was a bad idea. But Robert remembered being a little boy, cheering for his team.
Making the Deal
“How much do you want for the team?” Robert asked James Orthwein, the owner.
“$175 million,” James said.
That was a LOT of money! More than anyone had ever paid for a football team.
Robert’s wife Myra was worried. “Are you sure about this?” she asked.
“Sometimes you have to follow your heart,” Robert said. “I know we can make this team great again.”
A New Beginning
On January 21, 1994, Robert’s dream came true. He was now the owner of the New England Patriots!
The local newspapers were excited:
“Local Boy Buys His Favorite Team!”
Robert stood in the middle of the football field. He remembered being that little boy selling newspapers outside. Now he owned the whole team!
Making Promises
Robert made three big promises to the fans:
2. They would start winning games
3. They would make the fans proud
“How will you do it?” reporters asked.
“The same way I built my paper business,” Robert said. “Hard work, smart choices, and never giving up.”
Robert knew he had a big job ahead. The Patriots needed better players, better coaches, and a better stadium. But he was ready for the challenge.
He looked up at the stadium lights shining bright against the night sky. His dream had come true, but this was just the beginning. The Patriots were about to start their greatest journey ever.
Dynasty Construction
The Patriots needed a fresh start. Robert Kraft knew just who could help – Bill Belichick!
“We need someone special,” Robert told his team. “Someone who knows how to win.”
Finding a Star
That same year, something magical happened. In the NFL draft, the Patriots picked a young player named Tom Brady.
“He was pick number 199,” Robert remembered. “Nobody thought he would be special.”
“Sometimes the best things come when you least expect them,” Bill Belichick said with a smile.
The First Big Win
In 2001, everything changed. Tom Brady became the team’s quarterback when Drew Bledsoe got hurt.
The Patriots started winning more games. The fans got excited! The stadium was full every week.
Nobody thought they could win. The Rams were called “The Greatest Show on Turf” because they were so good.
Super Bowl Magic
The big game was close. With just seconds left, the score was tied 17-17.
Tom Brady led the team down the field. The clock was ticking:
• 7 seconds left
• Adam Vinatieri gets ready to kick
• The ball goes up
• Everyone holds their breath
• The kick is good!
The Patriots won their first Super Bowl! Robert jumped for joy!
Building a Winner
Robert knew this was just the start. He wanted to make the Patriots the best team in football.
• Great coaches
• Smart players
• Hard work
• Never give up
A New Home
The old stadium wasn’t good enough anymore. Robert built a new one called Gillette Stadium. ️
“This is for the fans,” Robert said. “They deserve the best.”
“We’re building more than a stadium. We’re building a home for champions!”
More Championships
The Patriots kept winning! They won the Super Bowl again in 2003 and 2004.
“How do you keep winning?” reporters asked Robert.
“We have the best fans, the best coach, and the best quarterback,” he said proudly.
The Patriots Way
Robert created something special. People called it “The Patriots Way.” It meant:
• Being smart and prepared
• Never giving up
• Doing things the right way
Other teams tried to copy the Patriots. But nobody could do it quite like Robert’s team.
The little boy who once dreamed of owning the Patriots had done more than that. He had built a dynasty! The team that nobody wanted became the team everybody wished they could be.
But even with all this success, Robert wasn’t finished. There were more challenges ahead, and he was ready to face them all.
Testing Times
The Patriots were on top of the football world. But sometimes being the best means facing big problems.
The Big Storm
In 2015, dark clouds gathered over the Patriots. People started talking about footballs that didn’t have enough air in them. They called it “Deflategate.”
“This isn’t fair!” Robert said. He knew his team played by the rules.
Standing Strong
Tom Brady got in trouble. The NFL said he couldn’t play for four games. Robert stood by his star player.
“We believe in Tom. We believe in our team,” Robert told everyone.
The fans stayed loyal too. They filled the stadium every week to cheer for their team.
Leading Through Trouble
Robert showed what a good leader does when things get hard:
• Tell the truth
• Support your team
• Keep working hard
Even when people said bad things, Robert kept his head high. He focused on making the Patriots better.
Coming Back Stronger
The Patriots didn’t let the hard times stop them. They kept winning games!
“Sometimes bad things make you stronger,” Robert told the team.
More Than Football
Robert knew the Patriots meant a lot to people. He wanted to make sure the team made fans proud.
Learning and Growing
Every problem taught Robert something new. He learned that:
“It’s not about what happens to you. It’s about how you handle it.”
Keeping the Faith
The hard times showed how strong the Patriots family was. Players, coaches, and fans stuck together.
“We’re all Patriots,” Robert said. “And Patriots never give up!”
Moving Forward
After the storm passed, the Patriots were even stronger. They won more games and more Super Bowls.
Robert learned that being a leader means standing up for what’s right. It means helping others when they’re down.
The Patriots showed everyone that a true champion isn’t just about winning games. It’s about how you act when things get tough.
Now Robert had new goals. He wanted to do more than just win football games. He wanted to make the world better.
Making the World Better
Robert Kraft had become more than just a football team owner. He wanted to help people everywhere!
Giving Back
Robert remembered how his parents taught him to help others. Now he could help in big ways.
“When you can help others, you should,” Robert often said. He gave away millions of dollars to make lives better.
Teaching Others
Many young business people wanted to learn from Robert. He shared what he knew:
“Work hard, be honest, and always try to do good things for others.”
Making Football Better
Robert helped make the NFL stronger too. He worked with other team owners to:
• Keep players safer
• Bring football to more places
• Help communities grow
New Adventures
The Patriots weren’t Robert’s only team anymore. He started a soccer team called the New England Revolution! ⚽
“Sports bring people together,” Robert said. “They teach us to work as a team.”
Building Bridges
Robert used sports to help people from different places become friends. He took teams to other countries to play games.
A Lasting Story
Robert’s story shows us that dreams can come true if you work hard. But it shows something even more important.
“Success isn’t just about what you get. It’s about what you give back.”
Looking Ahead
Today, Robert still works hard to make the Patriots better. But he spends even more time helping others.
He shows us that you can be successful and kind. You can win games and help people too.
The Big Picture
Robert Kraft’s life teaches us many things:
• Never give up
• Help others when you can
• Be kind to everyone
From a boy who loved football to a man who helps thousands, Robert shows us what’s possible when you follow your heart and help others along the way.
His story isn’t over yet. Every day, he thinks of new ways to make the world a little bit better. And that might be his biggest win of all.