The atmosphere was charged with tension just before “The Roast of Tom Brady” on Netflix, as former Patriots coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft encountered an awkward reunion, shared Julian Edelman and Drew Bledsoe on the “Games with Names” podcast released Tuesday.
Both Edelman, the Super Bowl LIII MVP, and Bledsoe described the pre-show moments in the green room, where former Patriots, including themselves, gathered. Initially, the mood was light, with Belichick joking around with the group. However, the air shifted palpably when Kraft entered the room.
“The tension in that room… could cut f—ing glass,” Edelman recounted, emphasizing the intensity of the moment.
“It was very real,” Bledsoe echoed, detailing the scene where Belichick was mid-story and the room’s attention suddenly shifted to Kraft, leaving Belichick speaking to virtually no one.
Belichick, who had not been retained as Patriots coach following a disappointing 4-13 season, found himself in an uncomfortable position. Edelman mentioned he tried to signal Belichick about Kraft’s entry, but it was too late. “Of course [Belichick] didn’t f—ing see it,” Edelman said. “I was like, ‘Oh s—, this is going to be some fireworks,’ I just walked away. I didn’t want to be in there.”
Despite the initial awkwardness, Bledsoe noted that Belichick and Kraft did converse for about 10 minutes in the green room, suggesting some attempt to smooth over their strained relations.
During the roast, Belichick didn’t shy away from the humor, even poking fun at the “Dynasty” documentary on Apple TV+, which had cast a critical eye on his and Brady’s era at the Patriots. “It’s an honor to be at the roast of Tom Brady on Netflix tonight. It’s not to be confused with the 10-part Bill Belichick roast during the Apple TV documentary,” Belichick joked.
In a moment of reconciliation, Kraft took the stage to honor Belichick, saying, “I want to say this is the greatest coach in the history of the game that no one else has done. And having Tom Brady and him was the greatest honor the good lord gave me, so cheers!”
This gesture seemed to indicate that despite past tensions, there was still a deep mutual respect and appreciation for their shared successes.
