Robert Kraft may have made several high-profile appearances in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl 2025, but his most important gig on the itinerary wasn’t for a fancy party or VIP gathering. Rather, it was a private event for a cause near and dear to his heart.
The New England Patriots CEO and his non-profit organization, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), held its first-ever Unity Summit at Xavier University of Louisiana on Feb. 7 to help encourage young students to recognize and stand up against hate.
The special gathering — which featured over 100 student-athletes and leaders, along with a surprise appearance by Kraft himself — brought Black and Jewish college students from various universities together under one roof with the shared mission of combating hate in the US and across the world.
“I think the kids at Tulane, Dillard and Xavier were really surprised,” Kraft, 83, exclusively told Page Six on the red carpet at Michael Rubin’s Fanatics bash, just one day after the summit kicked off.
“It was a wonderful reception … and we need more of that in America; building bridges together and pushing back on all the hate.”
The event was hosted in partnership with the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and Hillel International and also featured appearances by two of Kraft’s close colleagues: rapper/social justice activist Meek Mill and CBS reporter Gayle King.
While chatting with the students, Kraft at one point opened up about his unconventional friendship with the Philadelphia-born rapper. The two go way back, as the Kraft Group founder called for reform of the criminal justice system after visiting Meek in a Pennsylvania prison in 2018.
The “Bugatti” rapper (real name: Robert Rihmeek Williams) was fighting for release at the time, while appealing a years-long sentence for a probation violation.
“I called Robert and asked him to come see me and he actually came to see me,” Meek, 37, recalled of the visit, admitting he didn’t think the two would “connect” as easily as they did.
“When he came to see me, he asked why I was smiling … I was smiling because it was actually a Jewish man coming to help me in a position at my lowest point,” he continued. “I never felt that before … and it just gave me a side of joy.”
Ever since then, the two have remained close pals over the years, with Kraft even asking Meek to perform a custom freestyle at his wedding with Dana Blumberg in October 2022.
“My bride is a medical doctor. She doesn’t really follow rap, so she sort of checked out what some of the lyrics were going to be,” Kraft joked while reminiscing over the star-studded ceremony, which took place at the Hall des Lumières New York City last fall.
“Her favorite line was, ‘You a good eye doctor, keep a good eye on my friend.’ She loved it!”
Kraft echoed those sentiments in his interview with Page Six during Big Game Weekend, telling us, “I don’t think people believe that Meek and I are really pals and have a common interest. We’re sort of like real brothers [with] what we would do for one another. He is a great guy.”
Meanwhile, King, 70, explained to Page Six how her involvement at the luncheon came to be.
“I was with Robert the night before, we were at a conference, and he was telling me about [the summit]. No. 1, I love him and Meek together. I love the story that they tell,” she gushed over their unique bond.
“I think so many people don’t know about the injustices of the criminal justice system. And you hear their story and you hear how they met, and it’s a very compelling story. So when he asked me to come I said, ‘Put me in, coach!’ I hadn’t planned to talk but I was so moved by what they were saying.”
The Unity Summit kicked off just days before FCAS’ “No Reason to Hate” ad aired during the Super Bowl LIX broadcast on Feb. 9, marking the foundation’s second-ever Super Bowl campaign.
Kraft tapped former Patriots star Tom Brady and hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg (who hosted this year’s NFL Honors in the Big Easy) to lead the charge in delivering one very important message to viewers: “Let’s unite against hate in all its forms.”
“Man, I hate that things are so bad that we have to do a commercial about it,” Snoop says at the end of the ad, with Brady adding, “Me too,” as #StandUpToAllHate flashes across the screen.
Kraft created the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism in 2019 “in response to the alarming rise in Jewish hate and all hate happening across the United States,” per the foundation’s official website.
Brady credited the Patriots owner and the FCAS for “doing incredible work” in a statement released earlier this month.
“I’m honored to stand with them in the fight against hate,” the Super Bowl champion, 47, stated. “This Super Bowl, football is on my mind, but so is something even bigger — building a world where hate has no place. The ’No Reason to Hate’ campaign isn’t just a message; it’s a movement. I’m proud to be a part of it, and I hope you’ll join us.”
Snoop, 53, added in his own statement, “It doesn’t matter what your background is, what you look like or where you come from, hate is never the answer. It’s time we all start seeing it for what it is and together, take a stand against hate.”
Last October, Page Six exclusively reported that FCAS would be launching its newest campaign with commissioners from all major sports leagues — including Roger Goodell (NFL), Adam Silver (NBA), Rob Manfred (MLB), Gary Bettman (NHL) and many more.
“The new ad spot and campaign is the first of its kind in uniting major sports leagues, its commissioners and star athletes to champion the fight against all hate,” a statement from #TimeOut Against Hate read.
“The new campaign was inspired by and created from a closed-door meeting between FCAS Founder Robert Kraft and major sports commissioners earlier this year as an opportunity for each league and its teams to take a larger, active role in propelling the fight against antisemitism and all hate.”
