Netflix’s The Roast of Tom Brady was a huge success, though audiences noticed the titular roastee’s particular reaction to a Jeff Ross joke. The wildest moments and most hilarious jokes from the Tom Brady roast include contributions from all over. NFL players like Peyton Manning, Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman took the stage, as did Brady’s long-time coach on the New England Patriots: Bill Belichick. Football fans were offered some fresh, inside look at some of the game’s most recognizable personalities, and Brady handled the onslaught of roasts like a professional.
Aside from Tom Brady’s NFL community, celebrities like Kevin Hart and Kim Kardashian arrived at the event to participate. Arguably, movie star and Boston sports fan Ben Affleck had the worst luck of the night, with his jokes failing to land, but the only bit of humor that seemingly crossed the line came from comedian Jeff Ross. The 58-year-old is known primarily for his roast humor and is referred to as the “roastmaster general,” and he’s been known for laying down the heat at similar events before.
The Roast of Tom Brady was filled with provocative humor, ranging from jokes targeted at Brady’s well-documented public divorce to the NFL’s Deflategate scandal. When Jeff Ross took the stand, he made a reference to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who was in the room at the time. He said, “That scrawny rookie famously walked into the owner Robert Kraft’s office and said, ‘I’m the best decision your organization has ever made,’” followed by the punchline, “Would you like a massage?”
The joke referred to Robert Kraft’s 2019 prostitution solicitation charges, prompting Brady to stand up and tell the comedian, “Don’t say that sh** again.” Though Kraft was never found guilty after the event occurred at an Asian Day spa, he still released a public apology regarding the matter. Much speculation has surrounded why Brady took particular exception to this joke as opposed to other offensive material, and it could be due to the close-knit, father-son relationship he shares with Kraft.
In an interview with THR, Ross provided some insight on the matter, suggesting that Brady’s defense of Robert Kraft was strictly performative. “Come on, come on, no way. He’s having fun. You know, it’s like that’s his dad,” Ross explained, also adding that Kraft himself found the joke amusing. Though the incident might’ve seemed awkward at the moment, it makes sense, given the former NFL quarterback’s agreeable attitude throughout The Roast of Tom Brady, that he wouldn’t have made an exception for one joke.
Sources: THR