Tom Brady roast: Jeff Ross’ joke about Robert Kraft’s massage controversy upsets star

Jeff Ross had faced controversy in 2020 when he was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor girl.

On Sunday, Netflix's live special of "The Roast of Tom Brady" turned tense when comedian Jeff Ross made a racy joke referencing a past controversy involving New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

The off-colour quip visibly bothered Brady.

Kevin Hart hosted the event, introducing Ross as the roastmaster. 

Ross entered wearing a mock-bloody football jersey with "Roast OJ Simpson" written on the back. "If the gloves don't fit, you must talk shit," Ross quipped, setting the tone for the evening.

Ross's set included jokes about Brady's NFL draft position and his early career. He then recounted a moment when Brady, as a rookie, told Kraft, "I'm the best decision your organization has ever made."  

After the audience applauded, Ross delivered the controversial punchline, asking Kraft, "Would you like a massage?"

The joke was a clear reference to Kraft's 2019 arrest for soliciting prostitution in a Florida massage parlor (charges were later dropped). 

Brady, seated front and center, was visibly uncomfortable and leaned towards Ross after the joke. 

He was then seen approaching Ross at the podium, whispering into the microphone, "Don't say that shit again."

Ross responded nervously, attempting to placate Kraft. The camera caught Kraft laughing in the audience.  

Brady and Ross later hugged onstage, seemingly smoothing things over.

Hart returned, teasing Ross for trying to appease Brady. The show continued with other comedians taking their shots at the legendary quarterback.

Jeff Ross himself has been the subject of a controversy back in 2020. 

He has strongly denied accusations from over 20 years ago that he had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl. 

In his statement, Ross said, "I have never engaged in any sexual relationship with a minor." He described the allegations as "old news" that had been investigated multiple times without any evidence supporting them.

Ross also mentioned that the claims had been previously reviewed but never published due to lack of credible evidence and support from witnesses. 

He expressed his frustrations about being continuously harassed by the accuser and her partner over the years. 

The controversy reignited on Twitter on June 19, 2020 after a user posted a detailed thread, including videos, where a woman claimed she had a relationship with Ross in 1998 when she was just 15 and he was 33. 

The woman had previously shared these accusations through her social media platforms with the username "Iwas15hewas33."

In response to these renewed allegations, Ross announced his intention to take legal action against the accuser, condemning the accusations as "untrue and horrific" and criticizing the attempt to benefit from spreading false stories.

Netflix's "Greatest Roasts of All Time: Tom Brady" was part of the Netflix Is a Joke Fest.