NFL Lockout: Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Unable to Attend Annual NFL Meeting

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will not be attending the NFL's annual meeting in New Orleans, LA due to a "private family medical matter," according to the Patriots organization. 

Not only is Kraft the Patriots owner, but he's also one of the "bigger players" and influential owners in the NFL. Kraft has always been proactive in labor talks over the past decade, and his presence will be missed as the NFL's major topic of discussion will be the league's current labor situation. 

As the owners are on their way to New Orleans, some, including New York Giants owner John Mara, are already there and had some things to say about Kraft: 

"He's one of the most influential owners and one of the best owners we have in this league," Mara said. "His presence will certainly be missed for sure. He's somebody when he gets up to speak, people listen to."

Among the other notable New England Patriots representatives attending is Kraft's son Jonathan, who is the team's president, and New England's head coach Bill Belichick is already in town for the annual meeting. 

For Kraft, this will be another notable meeting that he has yet to attend this offseason. Earlier this month, when the NFL and NFLPA were attempting to agree on a new collective-bargaining-agreement, Kraft failed to be there. Kraft was with Massachusetts' Governor Deval Patrick on a business trip over in Israel. 

Now, Kraft will miss out on another NFL meeting, and this will be the most important and significant annual meeting in years. 

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @    TonySantorsa.