On Sunday night, popular streaming platform Netflix aired The Roast of Tom Brady, a much-awaited special that promised an evening of sharp wit and good-natured ribbing. However, one joke crossed a line for the legendary quarterback. As comedian Jeff Ross delved into Brady’s career, he stumbled upon a topic that Brady was unwilling to laugh off.

Ross kicked off one of his jokes by recounting the tale of Brady’s audacity as a rookie sixth-round pick, proclaiming to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft that drafting him was the organization’s finest decision. His joke about the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s interaction with Kraft struck a nerve, referencing Kraft’s past legal woes.

In February 2019, Kraft faced charges in a wide-ranging investigation into massage parlors, which involved covert video recordings in the establishments’ lobbies and rooms. Kraft pled not guilty to the charge but later issued a public apology and was cleared of a soliciting sex charge.

Following the punchline, Brady shifted his attention towards Ross, who glanced at Kraft amidst the audience. At that moment, Brady leaned in, attempting to communicate something to Ross discreetly. But his words warning Ross not to “say that again…” were caught by a microphone. While it’s plausible that this was scripted, with Brady playing along, the sincerity in his demeanor suggested otherwise. Brady appeared genuinely serious, leaving little doubt that he was not merely jesting.

However, the evening was not entirely marred by discomfort. Brady’s camaraderie with Kraft and former coach Bill Belichick shone through as they traded barbs and shared a toast. The show was a delight; however, actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck’s unexpected appearance struck a sour note with web fans.

Robert Kraft cheersing Bill Belichick… never thought we’d see the day! #TomBradyRoast pic.twitter.com/X5D3nKOpCm

— Netflix (@netflix) May 6, 2024

Affleck condemned web fans who criticize athletes from behind their keyboards during his six-minute diatribe. He criticized social media as a toxic environment, expressing disdain for the negativity it fosters. However, his rant backfired, as web fans swiftly turned the tables, labeling him the worst Batman and accusing him of leveraging the platform for personal agendas.

One web fan joked, “Ben Affleck is killing this roast like he killed the Batman franchise.” Some deemed Affleck’s role “the worst performance of the night.”