BREAKING NEWS: New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft Issues Strong Statement Following “Brewers Karen” Scandal
Foxborough, Massachusetts –
Patriots Leadership Speaks Out
The state of Massachusetts woke up to a rare and powerful message from New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, who addressed the viral controversy surrounding “Brewers Karen” dominating national headlines.
In his statement, Kraft called the remarks of Shannon Kobylarczyk—the woman caught on video yelling “Call ICE!” at a U.S. veteran of Latin descent during the National League Championship Series—”Un-American, disrespectful, and completely contrary to what New England stands for.”
He further declared that Kobylarczyk is now permanently banned from Gillette Stadium and all Patriots-related events.
“We do not tolerate hatred—not in Foxborough, not in Patriot Place, not under the American flag,” Kraft declared.
His words immediately went viral, receiving widespread praise on social media and being shared by thousands of Patriots fans, veterans, and even rival NFL communities.
The Incident Sparks a Firestorm
The controversy began during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field. In a video that spread across every major platform, Shannon Kobylarczyk—quickly nicknamed “Brewers Karen” by internet users—yelled “Call ICE!” at Ricardo Fosado, a Dodgers fan of Latin descent and a U.S. veteran.
Fosado, visibly shocked, stood his ground, declaring that he had served in two wars and was a proud American citizen. The confrontation escalated when Kobylarczyk allegedly attempted to grab his phone, prompting security to intervene.
Both individuals were subsequently escorted out of the stadium, but public outrage overwhelmingly focused on Kobylarczyk’s behavior—seen as an example of the racism and xenophobia that still haunt parts of American sports culture.
Within 24 hours, her employer, ManpowerGroup, confirmed she had been fired, citing a “zero-tolerance policy for discriminatory or harassing behavior.” She also resigned from the Board of Directors of Make-a-Wish Wisconsin.
New England Draws a Line
While the Brewers organization quickly condemned the behavior, the New England Patriots became the first NFL team to publicly comment on the issue—and they did so with unmistakable force.
In a detailed statement released on Friday morning, Robert Kraft connected the incident to the greater responsibility shared by all sports organizations:
“The values of sports—teamwork, respect, and unity—mean nothing if we remain silent in the face of hatred,” Kraft said.
“Gillette Stadium is sacred ground for millions of Americans. It’s a place where people of every color, language, and background stand side by side. That will never change.”
Kraft’s remarks were widely understood as a direct rebuke not only of Kobylarczyk’s comments but also of the broader divisive atmosphere spreading across the country.
Fans and Players Respond
The reaction from Patriots Nation was immediate and emotional. On X, the hashtag #PatriotPlaceUnited began trending within hours of Kraft’s announcement.
Fans flooded the team’s official posts with messages of support:
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“This is why we love New England—not just football, but family.”
“Gillette stands for something bigger than wins. Thank you, Robert Kraft.”
Patriots players also chimed in. Linebacker Matthew Judon reposted the statement with a heart and flag emoji. Quarterback Drake Maye added:
“Respect—that’s the standard. Always has been.”
Even rival fans spoke up, with one New York Jets supporter writing:
“I hate the Patriots every Sunday, but today… I respect them.”
A Statement Bigger Than Football
Analysts note that Robert Kraft’s resolute, value-driven response reflects the deep community identity of the Patriots—a team owned by the people, for the people. In an era where sports are often divided by politics or race, New England’s stance has become a model for American leadership in 2025.
Political commentators praised the message as “simple yet patriotic,” with CNN describing it as “a moral playbook other teams should follow.”
In closing his speech, Kraft summed up the team’s stance with words that Gillette may echo for years to come:
“The Patriots don’t just play in America—we represent America. And in our house, hatred has no place.”
