Myra Kraft, the wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and a long-time philanthropist, has died early this morning after a battle with cancer. She was 68.
The Patriots released a statement on the team website announcing her passing, saying “We are all heartbroken. The global philanthropic community and the New England Patriots family have suffered a great loss.” Thoughts and memories have poured in from around the league.
NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith released a statement, “On behalf of all NFL players, I want to offer my deepest sympathies to Bob and the Kraft family. I know how much he loves Myra. We mourn her loss and the entire player family is with heavy hearts today. Myra will be missed.”
Players who had the opportunity to know Mrs. Kraft have added their thoughts as well.
Former Patriots defensive back Lawyer Milloy released a statement via Twitter: “I’m truly heartbroken today. Myra Kraft has passed away. With my brisk departure from Boston, she is the one person that I regret not saying goodbye to. As a young player/man she was a great example of how a woman stands beside, not behind, a man of power. I never got a chance to say thanks for that lasting impression. R.I.P. You will be missed.”
Heath Evans, former Patriots running back currently with the New Orleans Saints, said in a series of messages via Twitter: “We have lost 1 of the greatest women I know and hands down the finest in all of sports with the passing of Mrs. Myra Kraft. God rest her soul.” He went on to say, “I’ll never forget the first day Beth met Myra. She came home with so much joy on her face because of how special Myra made her feel.”
Evans also concluded with a brief recollection of seeing Myra again after leaving the Patriots, when the Saints and Patriots played in 2009, “I remember crossing the super dome field week 10 2009 Saints/Pats to be greeted by Myra and her asking ‘by name,’ how is Beth, Ava, & Naomi?”
Matt Light, offensive tackle for the Patriots, stepped out of the NFLPA contract meetings to pass on a few brief words on Mrs. Kraft, “It’s amazing how much one person can do.”
Myra Kraft held key positions in numerous charitable and community organizations. She managed the Robert and Myra Kraft Family Foundation and was president of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, which contributed millions of dollars to charities in the United States and Israel. In 1995, she became the first woman to chair the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, a position she held until 2002.
The Krafts have four sons, Jonathan, Daniel, Joshua and David.
