The Wind Under Robert's Wings

On this Super Sunday, I pay a special tribute to Myra Kraft, Robert Kraft's wife of 48 years, who died in July after an 18 month battle against ovarian cancer. As you may know, Robert Kraft is the owner of the New England Patriots, winners of three previous Super Bowls, who today are facing the New York Giants in the 46th Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

But what you may not know, is that Myra was not only Robert's wife but as Jonathan Kraft, oldest of four sons, said of his mother at her funeral, "Anything my father has achieved in life, was a joint effort with my mother. She had a hand in everything he did." Myra was Robert's mensch. Robert would concur with the powerfully moving words as sung by Bette Midler in, Wind Beneath My Wings, that Myra was indeed "my hero, and everything I would like to be...I can fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings."

But Myra was much more than Robert's energetic and faithful life partner. She was a mother of four sons, an educated woman, one of Boston's largest philanthropists and a spiritual woman of Jewish faith that gave generously to all causes both in this country and abroad. Additionally, Myra possessed the caring loving heart of a mother but also the heart of a lionness for those less fortunate, neglected or abused.

In 1996, when the Patriots drafted a fifth round defensive tackle from University of Nebraska, Christian Peter, Myra sooon discovered that Peter had a history of violence against women. Peter was dismissed before training camp. It was the first time in NFL history that a drafted player was waived before training camp. Myra's strong hand at work.

Last summer while Myra was dying, Robert was at her side heartbroken. Myra, though weak, exhorted her husband to attend the negotiating sessions with the other owners and players in hammering out a new labor deal. She knew of her husband's special skills in negotiating. She commanded him to go...he went to New York conflicted. But every night, he returned to Boston by private jet to be by her side.

The Indianapolis Colts center and one of the leading negotiators for the players during the labor lockout, Jeff Saturday, said of Myra, "Though even in her weakest moments, Mrs. Kraft allowed Mr. Kraft to come and fight this out. Without him, this deal does not get done." (In the middle picture above, that's Jeff Saturday hugging Robert Kraft after the labor deal was struck between owners and players.)

It is appropriate that the New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl today. For without Robert Kraft's involvement in settling the contentious labor dispute there may not be any Super Bowl this Sunday. Things were that bad...Myra knew.

So, as you settle back in your easy chair this afternoon to watch the Super Bowl, take a look at the patch worn by the Patriot players. MHK. These are Myra's initials stitched onto the players jerseys in honor of a great lady. Fittingly, the patch is over the players hearts. (In the bottom picture above, that's running back Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis pointing to the MHK patch in the AFC Championship game two weeks ago.)

Whatever happens this afternoon on that field...whomever you are rooting for, remember the love affair these two had for one another, Myra and Robert, for that trumps everything you can put on a scoreboard.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that the angel Myra wants the Pats to win...and so do I. You just don't mess with angels.