It was all hands on deck for “The Roast of Tom Brady” on Netflix, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft even had time to crack a few jokes at the Los Angeles Forum on Sunday night during the event live.
However, his most important quote wasn't about his former quarterback, who gave his franchise six Super Bowl rings. Rather, it was Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“In case Vladimir Putin, you're watching. Give me back my damn ring, will you?” Kraft shouted into the microphone to a roaring crowd.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual news conference in Moscow on Thursday, December 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Robert Kraft. (ALEXANDER NIKOLAYEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Now context is needed to explain why this was such a funny joke.
There was controversy over how Putin allegedly stole Kraft's Super Bowl ring, and it made headlines over the years. He was most recently mentioned in the 10-part Apple TV documentary “The Dynasty,” which covered the Patriots' reign in the NFL.
PUTIN DENIES THAT HE STOLEN THE SUPER BOWL RING FROM THE OWNER OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Details from Jeff Benedict's book, which has the same title as the documentary, explain how the Bush administration allegedly told Kraft that “it would be best for the country” if he said he had given Putin his Super Bowl ring. in the summer of 2005.
Kraft showed Putin the Super Bowl ring when he traveled to Russia, and Putin reportedly admired its size and the number of diamonds in the giant jewel.
“I could kill someone with this ring,” Putin allegedly told Kraft.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on January 15, 2022. (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)
FILE – In this June 25, 2005 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a diamond-encrusted 2005 Super Bowl ring belonging to NFL New England Patriots football team owner Robert Kraft during a meeting of American business executives outside the 18th century Konstantin Palace. Saint Petersburg, Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)
“You could kill someone without it,” Kraft responded. “You were the head of the KGB.”
However, things allegedly got weird when Kraft reached out to retrieve the ring, but Putin pocketed it. Days later, The Associated Press reported that Putin had stolen Kraft's ring, and it made national news to the point that the Boston Globe called it “an international incident.”
The Russian government called the ring a gift, prompting the Bush administration to reportedly tell Kraft to say it was a gift to end the controversy. He did just that.
“At that time, I decided to give him the ring as a symbol of the respect and admiration I have for the Russian people and President Putin's leadership,” Kraft said in a formal statement on the matter.
New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft watches during warmups before the game against the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Nov. 8, 2023. (Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
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Many years later, jokingly or not, Kraft made it clear that he wants his ring back.
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