This Was the Joke That Went Too Far for Tom Brady at His Netflix Roast

For three hours on Sunday night, comedians and celebrities took shots at the greatest quarterback in NFL history during the roast of Tom Brady as part of the Netflix is a Joke festival. But while the guest of honor took most of the jokes in stride—even about his highly publicized divorce—the joke that went too far for Brady involved New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Brady spent 20 seasons with the Patriots, and his relationship with Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick is generally regarded to be one of the most successful sports dynasties of all time. But Brady was hardly a "get" during the 2000 NFL draft, being selected 199th overall, as roastmaster Jeff Ross pointed out about five minutes into his set at the podium.

"He sat there for days, waiting and waiting, and then you were finally picked in the sixth round when Bill Belichick’s dog stepped on the keyboard by accident," Ross quipped.

He then recalled the story when Brady, as a wet-behind-the-ears rookie, told Kraft upon being drafted, "I’m the best decision your organization has ever made." The audience went wild with applause until Ross let the other shoe drop, adding: "Would you like a massage?"

The comedian was referring to the scandal in which Kraft was among over two dozen people busted in a prostitution sting at a Boston massage parlor in 2019. The charges were eventually dropped, but suffice to say, Brady was not amused.

The squeaky clean 46-year-old got up from his seat on the stage and approached Ross, whispering into his ear: "Don’t say that s--t again."

A nervous-looking Ross relented. "OK, OK. He’s having fun, look at him," he said, gesturing to Kraft, who appeared to be laughing it off. "I love what you do for the Jews, Robert Kraft. You’re incredible."

According to CBS News, the awkward exchange wasn't heard by those seated in the audience, but millions watching at home caught it. At any rate, after Ross' set, the two appeared to have gotten over it, as the pair hugged onstage and smiled as they chatted before moving on with the show.

But while it's a possibility that the moment was scripted for the show, John Breech of CBS Sports surmised that Brady did indeed seem prickled by the joke.

"It's certainly possible this was all part of the act, but it definitely felt like Brady was legitimately upset with the joke," Breech wrote. "On a night where there were plenty of uncomfortable jokes, this seemed to be the only one that truly got under Brady's skin."