Robert Kraft: Aaron Hernandez Case 'One Of Saddest Things In My Tenure Of Ownership'
NEW YORK (CBS) - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had little to say about former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, but plenty to say about free agent quarterback Tim Tebow, during a live interview Tuesday on CBS This Morning.
Anchor Charlie Rose asked Kraft to comment on the impact of Hernandez, who is in jail waiting trial on a murder charge, but Kraft said he's said all he has to say about his former player.
"It's one of the saddest things that's happened in my tenure of ownership. I think we've said a lot on the issue. Everything I ever saw about him was first class in the building and it's a very sad thing and it's something that I've said everything I'm going to say about it."
Robert Kraft On CBS This Morning:
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Kraft was also asked about the release of quarterback Tim Tebow over the weekend. The Patriots owner said he wanted Tebow to make the team, but understands why he was let go.
"I very much wanted him on the team. If you look, four of the last five years we've only carried two quarterbacks. And you know, when a cut-down time comes you need those last three, four positions for depth," said Kraft. "We happen to have, I think, the finest quarterback in the history of the game. He's not going off the field except by injury.
Read: Tebow Thanks Patriots Following Release
"When (Tebow) came in, he came in as the third quarterback and we were all rooting for him," said Kraft. "Life takes funny turns so no one knows what's going to happen in the future. But whatever he does I know he's going to be a great success off the field, and I'm rooting for him to get his opportunity on the field as well."
Read: Belichick Doesn't Rule Out Potential Tebow Return
"I haven't met a finer young man, and this is my 20th season," Kraft said of Tebow.
The "CBS This Morning" team also asked Kraft about his Super Bowl ring that is now with Russian president Vladimir Putin, though Kraft wouldn't shed much light on if he gave it to Putin as a present or if it was taken.
"It worked out that I gave it to him as a present. I understand he is making me a ring, and I'd like to invite him right here to come and present it to me," said Kraft. "We're told the ring is next to the Faberge eggs in the Kremlin museum."
"What's happened now is we have a big fan club in Moscow with the president. There's a team called the Moscow Patriots," added Kraft.
