Roast of Tom Brady: Robert Kraft’s Zinger at Putin’s Expense
The recent “Roast of Tom Brady” at the Los Angeles Forum showcased a hilarious moment when New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft took a jab at Russian President Vladimir Putin for his alleged theft of Kraft’s Super Bowl ring.
The Controversial Ring
The backstory of the missing ring dates back to 2005 when Kraft showed off his precious Super Bowl trinket to Putin during a trip to Russia.
According to Jeff Benedict’s book and the Apple TV documentary “The Dynasty,” Putin admired the ring, exclaiming, “I could kill someone with this ring,” prompting Kraft’s witty retort, “You could kill someone without it. You were the head of the KGB.”
However, to Kraft’s dismay, Putin allegedly pocketed the ring, leading to headlines about a “stolen ring” and an “international incident.”
The Diplomatic Cover-Up
Under alleged pressure from the Bush administration, Kraft was advised to declare that he had given the ring to Putin as a gift, which he reluctantly did in a formal statement.
Kraft’s Demand
Fast forward to the “Roast of Tom Brady,” Kraft seized the opportunity to address the elephant in the room. With a mic in hand, he called out to the crowd:
“In case Vladimir Putin, you’re watching. Give me my f—ing ring back, will you?”
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, appreciating Kraft’s bold humor and the underlying geopolitical significance of the plea.
A Diplomatic Icebreaker?
Whether Putin will heed Kraft’s request is uncertain. However, the joke injected a rare moment of levity into the fraught relationship between the United States and Russia.
It serves as a reminder that even in the face of political tensions, a healthy dose of humor can go a long way.
