Trash Talk, Golf & Donations: The Match Sets Tone for Quarantine Era of Live Sports

ABTV Celebrities Fighting Coronavirus: The Match: Champions for Charity

Extreme trash-talk, average golf, but millions donated towards COVID-19 relief as Team Tiger-Payton took down Team Phil-Tom at Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity on Sunday. 

Between the witty banter and almost painful golf games, viewers were able to feel relatable to four of the biggest athlete celebrities and weren’t shy to recognize this on social media. 

However, this made-for-TV event provided hours of entertainment for sports fans who have gone over two months without live sports, and it was all for a good cause. By the end of the match, $20 million was raised toward COVID-19 relief efforts. 

Country artist Brad Paisley pledged his allegiance for his commercial pal, Peyton Manning saying he was “of course team Peyton”. 

I’m of course team Peyton. Anything that keeps him busy. #TheMatch #championsforcharity pic.twitter.com/5jUjNm2Z8F

— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) May 24, 2020

New York Yankees legend, and fiance to Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez said he was excited to sit on his couch and watch the four legends compete. 

Excited to sit on my couch for the next four hours and watch these four legends compete. This is going to be fun! #TheMatch

— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) May 24, 2020

The event started off with both teams taking big swings – and not exactly on the green – at one another. 

Peyton Manning got things rolling as he jokingly states he should’ve brought Eli or Nick Foles to be his caddy. (For any non-football fans, this referred to the only quarterbacks to beat Tom Brady in a Super Bowl). 

Peyton says he should’ve brought Eli or Nick Foles to caddy against Brady 💀 @brgridiron#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/mGDiNrpuVZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 24, 2020

Nick Foles joined in on the banter through Twitter tweeting to Peyton, “if Tom and Phil start coming back… ‘Philly Special.’”

Peyton, two words, if Tom and Phil start coming back…”Philly Special.” Go win it. #TheMatch2

— Nick Foles (@NickFoles) May 24, 2020

The Philly Special is now an iconic reference to the play in Super Bowl LI where Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles caught a touchdown pass. 

Tom Brady quickly responded with his own roast to Peyton Manning saying, “Doing pretty good in the rain. I’m impressed. He’s more of a dome quarterback.” 

“Doing pretty good in the rain. I’m impressed. He’s more of a dome quarterback”

TB12 roasting Peyton 😂 @brgridiron

Watch #CapitalOnesTheMatch on TNT pic.twitter.com/0el4dAaGiU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 24, 2020

The two quarterbacks played each other 17 times in the NFL with Tom Brady having won 11 out of those games. 

Although, this was about the extent that Tom Brady would be able to put his money where his mouth is because from here on out, viewers mostly took to Twitter to rejoice in Brady’s golf failings. 

Current NFL quarterback Case Keenum tweeted he was “all in” after Tiger and Petyon were looking for their golf balls in the woods – something many, if not all, golfers have had to do at some point playing the game, professionals and amateurs alike. 

Watching Tiger look for Peyton’s golf ball in the woods makes it all worth it. I’m all in. #TheMatch

— Case Keenum (@casekeenum) May 24, 2020

One of the biggest storylines surrounding the NFL this offseason was Tom Brady’s decision to move on from the New England Patriots – where he’s played for 20 seasons – and join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The Bucs and New Orleans Saints are in the same division, playing each other twice every season. So, Saints’ head coach, Sean Payton had some jokes for twitter admitting that he liked this Florida version of Tom Brady. 

I'm liking this Florida @TomBrady right now. #TNT

— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) May 24, 2020

American professional golf star, Brooks Koepka pledged to donate $100,000 through his charity fund if Brady could make a par on the front nine – offering up some positive incentives. 

I’ll donate 100k through the @bkcharityfund if @TomBrady makes a par on the front 9 #TheMatch #TNT

— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) May 24, 2020

However, Cleveland Browns offensive line legend, Joe Thomas sarcastically offered his own incentive in response to Koepka’s while implying how dramatically bad Brady was playing. 

Ill donate 1,000,000 signed and game worn Peyton Manning jerseys for #COVID19 relief if @TomBrady keeps the same ball for any hole in the front 9 #TheMatch #TB12 https://t.co/1LEA9lFMJz

— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) May 24, 2020

Meanwhile, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson acknowledged his own golfing inadequacies, but found solace in watching Brady. 

Wilson tweeted at Brady suggesting that him and wife, Ciara should play against Brady and wife, Gisele in either the Bahamas or Mexico, but the wives could decide. 

At this rate @TomBrady we may have to have a match between @Ciara & I vs you & @GiseleOfficial 😂😎

Bahamas or Mexico? Ladies choose 😜

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) May 24, 2020

Gisele quickly tweeted back admitting that she couldn’t play golf but “Mexico sounds like a good idea [because] they have great margaritas!”

Hahaha I can’t play golf, but Mexico sounds like a good idea, they have great margaritas ! 😂😂😂

— Gisele Bündchen (@giseleofficial) May 24, 2020

Aside from Brady’s lackluster performance, fans were also highly entertained by the commentary from NBA legend Charles Barkley. 

Barkley chirped at Brady on air saying he’d “donate $50,000 if you hit the green.” 

Unfortunately, Brady completely shanked the shot and jokingly said, “Chuck, you saved yourself $50,000.” 

Charles Barkley: "I'll donate $50,000 if you hit the green."

Tom Brady: "Chuck, you saved yourself $50,000." #TheMatch pic.twitter.com/L2KEaituTR

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 24, 2020

It’s also well-known that Barkley himself is a horrible golfer. So Houston Astros’ ace pitcher Justin Verlander tossed out the idea that “Chuck vs Tom would be a good undercard next time”. 

Maybe Chuck vs Tom would be a good undercard next time #thematch

— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) May 24, 2020

Although, in the most Brady fashion – he did start to improve as the day went on. 

In fact, Brady stunned viewers – and himself with an incredible shot on the 7th hole. 

TOM BRADY. WOW.

Watch #CapitalOnesTheMatch now on TNT pic.twitter.com/k4Au3SOpSU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 24, 2020

And after this shot, Twitter revealed that not just the avid golfer was tuned in to The Match.

Super Bowl Champion and MVP, Patrick Mahomes, quickly reacted on Twitter. 

You got to be kidding!!!!! #TheMatch2

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) May 24, 2020

As did, two-time NFL Defensive MVP, JJ Watt calling the shot “incredible.” 

That was incredible Tom. Touché. #TheMatch

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 24, 2020

Former NFL punter and current sports personality, Pat McAfee called the shot his favorite thing to happen yet. 

Tom Brady taking a victory trip up the fairway after chipping in is maybe my favorite thing to happen yet

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 24, 2020

Brady also fulfilled Koepka’s pledge and earned the promised $100,000. 

Unfortunately, Brady’s golf skills weren’t the biggest joke of the day. The NFL superstar ripped his pants. Yes, you read that right – he ripped his pants. And of course, twitter noticed within seconds.

Very unfortunate time for Brady to rip his pants.

You hate to see it. pic.twitter.com/9lHmGRwWJi

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) May 24, 2020

Thankfully, Brady was a good sport and turned the joke around. 

Pants wanted in on social distancing I guess… https://t.co/PJBPyFWowI

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) May 25, 2020

While many felt relief watching the poor play of two NFL legends, some didn’t have the same opinion. FOXSports TV personality and NFL Hall of Famer, Shannon Sharpe tweeted he has to be good or great at a task in order to enjoy it and watching Tom and Peyton play golf reinforced his desire to not. 

After watching Tom and Peyton playing golf. This is why I don’t play. I need to be good or gr8 at a task in order for me to enjoy it. #GolfIsHard

— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 24, 2020

All in all, The Match earned $10 million over its original goal and brought the joy of live sports back into millions of homes. 

What a job by Peyton. Thanks for helping me beat @PhilMickelson this time around. @TomBrady showed up too. What a fun day for an even better cause! pic.twitter.com/uB08sZkW17

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) May 25, 2020

Congrats to @TigerWoods and Peyton for a hard fought victory and thanks to @PhilMickelson for coaching your boy and keeping us in it.

Now…back to my day job 😉

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) May 25, 2020

That was fun, thanks for the entertainment @TomBrady @TigerWoods @PhilMickelson & Peyton.

And also to the crew and staff working through that weather. Good times and some much needed live competition for us all.

And all for a great cause. #TheMatch

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 25, 2020

And yet, New York Giants two-time Super Bowl Champion, Eli Manning – who made his Twitter debut this weekend – said it best, “can we do this again next weekend?”

Great people, great banter, great(ish) golf … and amazing efforts for charity. What a huge success. So, can we do this again next weekend?

— Eli Manning (@EliManning) May 25, 2020

If you love Tom Brady, twitter reactions to sporting events, and ABTV Celebrities Fighting Coronavirus, share this article with a friend.  Tune in daily to AfterbuzzTV articles and aftershows for the latest news and info on pop culture and entertainment.