Just as BenJarvus Green-Ellis had done when he powered his way into the end zone on a 7-yard second-quarter run to give the Patriots a 10-3 lead and paid homage to the organization’s matriarch - tapping the MHK patch on the left side of his jersey and blowing a kiss to the heavens - Kraft twice tapped the MHK pin on his lapel, and blew a kiss to the heavens.
Asked if he was imitating Green-Ellis’s gesture, Kraft was momentarily stunned.
“I didn’t know he did that? Oh, he did?’’ Kraft said. “I missed it. I was talking to Steven Tyler, he was distracting.’’
The small clutch of reporters broke into laughter.
“Really? Holy mackerel, honest-to-goodness, I didn’t see it,’’ Kraft said, turning to his grandson for confirmation.
“Did you know that?’’ Kraft asked Harry. “Did you see it?’’
Harry nodded in the affirmative. “Oh, I love him even more,’’ Kraft said of Green-Ellis. “I’m going to give him a kiss.’’
The crowd of 68,756 at Gillette Stadium probably wanted to join their owner in giving Green-Ellis a smooch after the powerfully built running back rushed 15 times for 68 yards and the first postseason touchdown of his career.
And he celebrated the same way he had on all 11 of his touchdowns during the regular season.
“You know it’s been a trying year for Mr. Kraft and his family,’’ said Green-Ellis. “She meant so much to this organization and we wanted to get that for her.’’
Myra Kraft’s spiritual presence was not to be overlooked or denied, especially when Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed wide left on a 32-yard field goal attempt that would have tied it with 11 seconds to go.
“We’ve had that patch on our jersey and you cannot help but think about her every game we play,’’ Green-Ellis said. “We just take our hats off to her.’’
Green-Ellis attacked a physical Ravens defense with a head-on, downhill running style. It was evident in the way he sparked New England’s 10-play, 75-yard scoring march with hard runs up the middle for gains of 13 and 11 yards.
