Inglewood, Calif. — Before Tom Brady transitions to his new role as Fox Sports' top NFL analyst, he faced a different kind of challenge as he was roasted by comedians, former teammates, and his longtime coach during a comedy live event on Netflix.
Despite the barbs and jokes thrown his way during "The Greatest Roast of All Time" at The Forum, Brady took it all in stride.
"It's like a football game. You run with a game plan, and then you get to see kind of how the strategy goes, and then you adjust on the fly," Brady said before the event. "This is what a locker room has been like for me for all these years. So it's not like I'm used to people not making fun of me."
Comedian Nikki Glaser, whose monologue was a standout of the night, likened the roast to "the comedians' Super Bowl" due to the high level of competition as each participant tried to outdo the others.
Brady sustained more blitzes and pressure than he did during an average NFL game as an impressive lineup of comedians, former teammates and opponents took the stage . Host Kevin Hart said before the event that no topic was off limits, and Hart went on the offensive early with jokes about Brady's ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen.
"Gisele gave you an ultimatum. She said you retire or we're done. When you got a chance to go 8-9 and all it will cost you is your wife and your kids, you've got to do what you've got to do," Hart said, referring to Brady coming out of a brief retirement in 2022 for one more season.
Brady apparently objects to joke about Robert Kraft
The only time Brady objected to a joke was when Jeff Ross made a reference to Patriots owner Robert Kraft and massages. In 2019, Kraft originally received a misdemeanor charge that he paid for sex at a Florida massage parlor. Prosecutors later dropped the charge after courts blocked the use of video from cameras installed by police inside the massage parlors.
Brady walked up to Ross and said in his ear "don't say that (stuff) again", but it was clearly caught on the microphone and heard by those watching the roast at home. It wasn't heard by those in attendance.
CBSSports.com's John Breech writes that Ross responded by pointing at Kraft and saying, "OK, OK. He's having fun, look at him."
Brady and Belichick Reunite at Event
During a recent event, tensions seemed to rise as Tom Brady appeared genuinely upset by a joke made at his expense. While it's possible it was all part of the act, Brady's reaction suggested otherwise, according to observations.
Later in the evening, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former coach Bill Belichick were encouraged to take a shot together on stage by the event host, Kevin Hart. Belichick, who was let go in January after a long tenure with the team, joined Kraft in the gesture despite past rumors of discord between the two.
Addressing the audience, Kraft praised Belichick for his coaching prowess, calling him "the greatest coach in the history of the game." He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have both Brady and Belichick on the team, referring to it as a great honor.
Notably, Belichick also participated in another shot-taking moment initiated by Rob Gronkowski, which culminated in Gronkowski spiking his shot glass in celebration.
During a pre-taped segment at the beginning of the roast, Belichick took a playful jab at Brady by stating he was "starting the roast" instead of Drew Bledsoe. Brady famously replaced Bledsoe in 2001 after Bledsoe was injured in a game against the Jets, leading the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title that season.
"For all of you out there who think about who's responsible for the Patriots' success during the time Tom and I were together - was it Tom or me - in reality, the truth of the matter was it was both of us because of me," Belichick quipped.
Brady didn't shy away from teasing Belichick either, jokingly asking him how many Super Bowl rings he had won since Brady left. "Maybe it's not just the guy on the sideline. When I go to the Indy 500, I don't ask the winning driver, 'Hey, you gassed up your car?'" Brady playfully remarked.
Brady came prepared
Comedian Kevin Hart mentioned before the show that Brady was in a great mindset for the event. Brady indeed proved to be ready, diligently going over his monologue with a group of people, including those at Fox Sports.
"It's important to be able to laugh at yourself, and I appreciate the way he's doing it in this setting," Hart mentioned. "I admire his willingness to embrace the things that some may believe he avoids. It's a tribute to his greatness, and we're approaching it in a lighthearted manner."
Bledsoe added that Brady has always had a sense of humor, but this was a new platform for it.
"I found it quite courageous. There's no shortage of material to poke fun at him," Bledsoe remarked. "The reality is, as professional athletes, ribbing each other is part of our daily routine in the locker room. So, you need to have a tough skin. Now, others can join in on the laughter."
