Jay Leno Commends Tom Brady's Sportsmanship During Netflix Roast

Comedy legend Jay Leno applauds Tom Brady's ability to handle the relentless humor directed at him during his Netflix roast, praising the former NFL star's resilience and good nature.

Renowned comedian Jay Leno has showered accolades on Tom Brady for his exceptional sportsmanship during his recent Netflix roast. Leno, who attended the Feminist Majority Foundation's 16th Annual Global Women's Rights Awards & Gala shortly after the roast, expressed his admiration for Brady's ability to endure the relentless jokes directed at him.

"GROAT: The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady" featured a star-studded lineup of comedians and celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Ben Affleck, and Nikki Glaser. The roast generated widespread discussion on cancel culture and the boundaries of comedy.

Leno, a veteran of the comedy circuit, emphasized the enduring nature of humor. "Comedy hasn't changed. It's exactly the same thing," he told Fox News Digital. "Things come in and out." He attributed the timeless appeal of physical comedy, such as Buster Keaton's slapstick, to its universal relatability.

Regarding the Netflix roast, Leno was particularly impressed by Nikki Glaser's performance. "She killed me. She was really funny," he said. "A lot of people might say it's inappropriate, but if it's really funny, it makes it OK."

Leno clarified his stance on the role of appropriateness in comedy. "When it's inappropriate and not funny, then people [go], 'Oh, now I'm offended!' I'm offended because A. It's not funny because it's inappropriate.' Then they'll go, 'It's inappropriate, but it's really funny!'"

Leno has previously spoken about his adaptability to the evolving landscape of comedy, adjusting his material based on his audience. He suggested that the key to longevity in the industry is to "change with the times or you die."

While Leno acknowledged the importance of adapting to changing sensibilities, he also emphasized the need for comedians to acknowledge their mistakes. "If I see somebody who's really hurt by something I did, that's not my job," he said. "The idea is to get them to laugh."

In the past, Leno has faced backlash for jokes about Asian people and culture. In 2021, he issued an apology after a report emerged that he had made a joke about Koreans eating dog meat during a taping of "America's Got Talent."

"At the time I did those jokes, I genuinely thought them to be harmless," Leno said in a joint press release with the Media Action Network for Asian Americans. "I was making fun of our enemy North Korea, and, like most jokes, there was a ring of truth to them."

Leno expressed regret for his past actions and promised to be more sensitive in the future. "I am issuing this apology," he added. "I do not consider this particular case to be another example of cancel culture but a legitimate wrong that was done on my part. I hope the Asian American community will be able to accept it as well, and I hope I can live up to their expectations in the future."

Leno's comments on cancel culture and his willingness to own up to mistakes underscore his belief in the necessity of adapting to changing cultural norms while also acknowledging the importance of accountability. His praise for Brady's sportsmanship during the Netflix roast highlights the enduring power of comedy and the value of good humor in the face of adversity.