Bob Kraft is probably scared of the Russian president. He should be.
This is what a Patriots Super Bowl ring looks like.
Via: Reuters
In 2005, New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft took off his ring and handed it to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reportedly said, "I could kill somebody with this ring," before putting it in his pocket and walking off.
At the time Kraft said he gave away the ring as a gift.
“President Putin, a great and knowledgable sports fan, was clearly taken with its uniqueness. I decided to give him the ring as a symbol of the respect and admiration that I have for the Russian people and [his] leadership."
Via: Alexander Zemlianichenko, File / AP
But last week Kraft said the ring was actually stolen, the New York Post reported. He seemed pretty bummed.
“I took out the ring and showed it to [Putin], and he put it on and he goes, ‘I can kill someone with this ring,’” Kraft told the crowd at Carnegie Hall’s Medal of Excellence gala at the Waldorf-Astoria. “I put my hand out and he put it in his pocket, and three KGB guys got around him and walked out.”
Via: Elsa / Getty Images
He said the Bush Administration pressured him to say he had given the ring as a gift, "in the interest of U.S.-Soviet relations." SOVIET.
“It would really be in the best interest of US-Soviet relations if you meant to give the ring as a present.”
Via: Mike Stone / Reuters
