February 22, 2019
Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports Images
Robert Kraft, addressing the crowd after the Patriots beat the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
The news came down Friday morning: New England Patriots billionaire owner Robert Kraft was charged with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting another to commit prostitution at a day spa in Jupiter, Florida:
Police announce the charges against Robert Kraft https://t.co/pHM1RMgZwQ pic.twitter.com/Ux6C4nVl33
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 22, 2019
Kraft’s charges are part of a bigger prostitution and sex trafficking sting, and he’s just one of 150 people caught up in the sting, according to police.
But his name, for now, is drawing the most eyeballs, and the most outlandish reactions.
How did the internet take the news? About as well as you might expect.
Let’s begin first with Meek Mill, who considers Kraft a good friend — Meek even gifted Kraft a chain after the Patriots’ most recent Super Bowl victory — and might have something to say about run-ins with law enforcement:
🤔🤔🤔
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) February 22, 2019
Three thinking face emojis is probably all we’re going to get from Meek right now, but it’s more than nothing, and it shows he’s watching. In January, Kraft, Meek Mill joined with Sixers owner Michael Rubin and CNN commentator Van Jones to to start The Reform Alliance, an organization dedicated to criminal justice reform.
Then, of course, there were the jokes about rings and everything else, including some Philly flair:
wonder if meek mill can help get robert kraft out of jail
— CK (@cranekicker) February 22, 2019
You think Robert Kraft was having fun? @LaneJohnson65 @Patriots
— Justin Grasso (@JGrasso_) February 22, 2019
Robert Kraft:
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) February 22, 2019
- 2001 Super Bowl Ring
- 2003 Super Bowl Ring
- 2004 Super Bowl Ring
- 2014 Super Bowl Ring
- 2016 Super Bowl Ring
- 2018 Super Bowl Ring
- 2019 Prostitution Ring
Robert Kraft showing up for his 5:30pm “massage” every Friday like: pic.twitter.com/pYVvlgLJmc
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) February 22, 2019
stay tuned, because i’m gonna count down the 75,000 best jokes about bob kraft. let’s get started with #75,000, from @SportsMediaNeil: “It seems as though Bob Kraft scored even though he is not a player on the team. ‘Do I make you horny?’ - Austin Powers.”
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) February 22, 2019
Hey Bob, #Kraft a good defense. pic.twitter.com/UX6TWscgbW
— Ducis Rodgers (@duciswild) February 22, 2019
if you’re gonna foia that kraft video, i’m begging you not to.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) February 22, 2019
Did Robert Kraft write a check?
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) February 22, 2019
BREAKING: Robert Kraft found not guilty as a result of the NFL’s new Tug Rule.
— Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) February 22, 2019
Eventually, President Donald Trump, who is also a friend of Kraft's, weighed in:
NEW: President Trump tells reporters he's "surprised" to see Bob Kraft charged (with soliciting prostitution) and emphasizes Kraft "denies it" (via @HallieJackson in the Oval)
— Monica Alba (@albamonica) February 22, 2019
This is a weird story, and it seems like there’s plenty more left to learn, but it’s never a bad day when you can laugh at the Patriots.
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