Tom Brady, the legendary former NFL quarterback, recently opened up about his experience participating in a Netflix roast, revealing that he has one significant regret. The impact of the jokes on his children has left him reflecting on the event. Despite Brady’s enjoyment of the roast’s humor directed at him, he was unprepared for how the jokes would affect his loved ones. Comedian Nikki Glaser, one of the roasters, expressed skepticism, suggesting that Brady must have anticipated the potential fallout.
A Popular Show with Unintended Consequences
The “Roast of Tom Brady” has become Netflix’s top show, garnering over 15 million views. The event featured a lineup of prominent roasters, including host Kevin Hart, Nikki Glaser, Kim Kardashian, and Ben Affleck. While Brady anticipated being the butt of the jokes, he didn’t foresee the emotional toll it would take on his family. On “The Pivot Podcast,” he shared his mixed feelings about the experience.
“I loved when the jokes were about me, I thought they were so fun,” Brady stated. “I didn’t like the way it affected my kids.”
Brady explained that participating in the roast was a bittersweet decision. He enjoyed the humor directed at him but regretted the unforeseen consequences for his family. He admitted that, had he known the impact it would have on those he cares about most, he would have reconsidered his involvement.
Family Dynamics and Personal Regrets
Brady shares his eldest son, Jack, 16, with actress Bridget Moynahan and has two children, Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11, with his ex-wife, model Gisele Bündchen. He confessed that he was “naive” about what the roast entailed when he agreed to participate in the event on May 5. The jokes included references to his divorce from Bündchen and her relationship with their children’s jiu-jitsu teacher, Joaquim Valente. Reports suggest that Bündchen was “deeply disappointed” by the jokes at her expense.
Another controversial moment occurred when comedian Jeff Ross made a joke about New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s massage parlor visit. Brady, visibly upset, interrupted Ross to tell him, “Never say that shit again.”
Reflecting on the event, Brady described it as a “good lesson” and expressed hope that it would make him a better parent. He acknowledged that those who attended the live event, including former teammates and celebrities like Ben Affleck, had a lot of fun. Brady emphasized the importance of humor, stating, “if we’re not laughing about things, we’re crying. And I think we should have more fun.”
Nikki Glaser’s Perspective
Comedian Nikki Glaser, who delivered some of the harshest jokes during the roast, also commented on Brady’s reflections. On “Today With Hoda & Jenna,” Glaser addressed Brady’s surprise at the backlash from his family. She found it “impossible” that he hadn’t considered the potential repercussions.
Glaser acknowledged that while Brady might not have anticipated the extent of the backlash, she believed he must have known what he was getting into. “Tom Brady does not do anything without doing his research and knowing exactly what he’s getting into,” she said.
Glaser highlighted the availability of roast footage, suggesting that Brady could have reviewed past roasts to gauge the level of intensity. She speculated that Brady, due to his successful career and widespread admiration, might live in a bubble where negative comments are rare. “No one’s ever said a bad thing to him in the past 30 years,” she noted. “I really don’t think he thought they were going to go there.”
Behind the Scenes
In another interview, Glaser shared an anecdote involving fellow roaster Kim Kardashian, who complimented her performance after the show. Kardashian, who was booed during the live event (later edited out), expressed admiration for Glaser’s ability to handle the brutal nature of roast comedy, describing it as “abuse, lol.”
Interestingly, some jokes were moderated to soften their impact. Brady’s former teammate, Drew Bledsoe, revealed that his wife, Maura, helped him tone down a joke about Brady’s personal life. Bledsoe originally had a harsher joke in mind but opted for a softer approach at his wife’s suggestion. On “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz,” Bledsoe said, “It was a replacement for a joke that I had written that was far worse. But she said, ‘No, you can’t do that one,’ so she helped me write one that was a little bit more of a softball.”
Bledsoe mentioned that when it came to making fun of Brady, they had to delve into personal matters since his illustrious career left little room for criticism. “You can’t really make fun of his career,” Bledsoe noted, referring to Brady’s seven Super Bowl wins. “So you have to dig deep… We had to jump into the personal stuff.”
Conclusion
The Netflix roast of Tom Brady has provided ample entertainment for millions but has also sparked introspection for the former quarterback. While Brady appreciated the humor directed at him, the unintended impact on his family has made him more cautious about future endeavors. The experience has underscored the delicate balance between public entertainment and personal boundaries, reminding both celebrities and audiences of the potential consequences of such events.
As Brady continues to navigate his post-NFL life, he carries forward a valuable lesson from the roast, aiming to be more considerate of how public actions might affect those closest to him. Meanwhile, the roasting community, represented by figures like Nikki Glaser, continues to push the boundaries of comedy, highlighting the importance of preparation and awareness in participating in such high-profile events.
