Israel Sports Authority Director-General Dr. Uri Schaeffer presents the IJSHOF’s Lifetime Achievement Award to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. At left is Amotz Bachar, CEO Wingate Institute, and right, former NFL star Ron Mix, an IJSHOF honoree himself in 1981.

New England Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft received the IJSHOF Lifetime Achievement Award in Israel. The presentation, by Director-General of Israel Sports Authority Dr. Uri Schaeffer, took place at the soccer facility at Kfar Saba, in central Israel.

IJSHOF chairman Alan Sherman reports that Kraft was in Israel with 19 Pro Football Hall of Famers, to promote American Football in Israel, and attend an exhibit of the latest technologies presented by the Jerusalem Development Authority and OurCrowd, the world’s leading equity investor in Israeli start-ups. The NFL Hall of Famers goodwill trip, coined “Touchdown in Israel: Mission of Excellence”, was organized by the Patriots’ owner in coordination with Israel’s U.S. Ambassador, Ron Dermer.

Kraft, who’s Patriots have won four NFL Super Bowls since 2001, including the 2015 championship, funded the Kraft Family Stadium in Jerusalem, the only American-type football arena in Israel. He has been the chief supporter of American Football in Israel, now in its 16th year, and features 14 teams.

Joining the U.S. Hall of Fame entourage, in addition to Kraft, award presenter Dr. Schaeffer, and Wingate Institute CEO Amotz Bachar, were: Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker, and American Football in Israel president Steve Leibowitz.

Wingate Institute, in Netanya, is home to the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame museum.

Participating NFL Hall of Famers were: Raymond Berry, Mel Blount, Tim Brown, Curley Culp, Chris Doleman, John Hannah, Mike Haynes, Ken Huston, Paul Krause, Floyd Little, Tom Mack, Curtis Martin, Ron Mix, Jim Taylor, Thurman Thomas, Andre Tippett, Roger Wehrli, Rayfield Wright and Jack Youngblood.