Viewers tuning into Netflix’s live Roast Of Tom Brady were expecting a flurry of insults, put-downs, and off-color jokes, but no one would have predicted the evening ending with one of the tensest moments in United States and Russian relations since the Bay of Pigs.
Host Kevin Hart and Roastmaster General Jeff Ross got things off to an uncomfortable and awkward start when Ross hit Tom Brady with a Robert Kraft massage joke that caused the 7-time Super Bowl winner to confront him a stern warning midway through his set. (“Don’t say that shit again,” Brady threatened.)
Brady managed to calm himself after that early moment of weakness, despite enduring 2 hours and 45 minutes worth of insults about his sexuality, his reprehensible treatment of ex Bridget Moynihan, and even his failed marriage to Gisele Bundchen (and her alleged infidelity with a karate instructor). However, the co-target of Ross’s massage parlor joke, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, ended up stealing the evening’s show with a verbal jab of his own — this one issued to none other than Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The 82 year old Kraft, a diehard MAGA Republican and one of Donald Trump’s close friends, spent the few minutes he had on mic primarily doling out compliments to Brady and the other New England Patriots present for the evening’s festivities. However, he closed his “set” with an unexpected shot across the bow at Russia’s head of state. “And one more thing,” Kraft began, with his hands trembling after pounding a flute of champagne. “In case, Vladimir Putin, you’re watching … give me my fucking ring back, will ya?” I don’t have to tell you that entire arena immediately burst into applause.
Kraft was referring to a 2005 incident in which he, during a visit to Russia, met with Putin and showed him his Super Bowl ring during a photo opp. Kraft claims that Putin told him, “I could kill someone with this ring,” and then put the ring in his pocket, never to return it. Here’s a 2013 ABC News report about the situation:
Kraft has dined out on this story for years, and Putin has yet to return the ring. So how will Putin respond to Kraft’s verbal challenge, which was broadcast live worldwide on Netflix? Let’s hope cooler heads prevail.
