Rick Ross -- Bob Kraft's My Homeboy ... 'Super Cool Dude'

Boss respects Boss ... so says Rick Ross who tells TMZ Sports he's homies with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft ... and says the 74-year-old is a "super cool dude."

Ross says he and Kraft became friends when they "kicked it in the Hamptons" a few years ago ... and they've become better friends over time.

In fact, it's probably why Ross was invited to perform at the Pats Super Bowl party with the team back in February ... when he got Kraft to come onstage and DANCE with his crew.

#BFFs