Jerusalem, Israel - June 20, 2017 - Winding up a whirlwind Israeli trip, 18 Gold Jacket Pro-football Hall of Famers, included Lem Barney, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, Jim Brown, Cris Carter, Dave Casper, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, “Mean” Joe Greene, Willie Lanier, Joe Montana, Andre Reed, Mike Singletary, Bruce Smith, John Stallworth, Roger “Captain America” Staubach, Andre Tippett, Aeneas Williams and Ron Yary, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 20 June 2017). 

The delegation has been touring Israel at the initiative of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. 

Netanyahu told the visitors, "If you ask what is the policy? You seek peace but you've got to be strong. If you're not strong, you'll never get peace and if you're not strong, you'll be in war and turmoil. And the worst thing is – you lose. So, I'm sure that when you prepare for your games you don’t say: Well, do I need to be strong, fast and nimble? Is that a question? No. Your game is not different from ours. The only difference is: If we lose, the consequences are immutable. We had enough of that in our history. So, we won’t let that happen again."

Earlier in the day the dedication of The Kraft Family Sports Campus, which is being built in collaboration with the Jerusalem Foundation and the Jerusalem Development Company – Moriah, was held.

 "The Kraft Family Sports Campus is a central part of my vision for Jerusalem as an international capital of sport and athleticism,” said Mayor Nir Barkat. “My dear friend, Robert Kraft, has been an unwavering partner in the growth and development of Jerusalem. This gift, which helps celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem's reunification, furthers Robert and his family’s commitment to the capital of Israel, and to enhancing sport and particularly football in Jerusalem."

 “The Kraft Family Sports Campus allows me to invest in two things that I have always been very passionate about: My love of Israel and my support for youth athletics and team sports, especially American football,” said Kraft. “I fell in love with Israel on my first visit in 1963 and have been investing in its future ever since. I have seen the positive impact team sports can have, not just on the individuals who participate, but in the communities that support them. They help unify those who might otherwise be divided by cultural differences. Team athletics have proven to develop leadership, provide examples of success through teamwork and promote health and fitness. My family and I are proud to establish this large scale, multi-sports complex, which is the first of its kind in Jerusalem.”

The Campus will include soccer fields, a dual-use U.S. regulation football and soccer field, locker rooms and administrative offices, a central pedestrian thoroughfare, parking and an access road, with plans in the pipeline to add numerous additional facilities. Together with the American Football League in Israel, the new Kraft Family Sports Campus will further foster the enjoyment of  football in Jerusalem.  

BJL caught up with the group at their hotel before final farewells.