Friendly competition? Not between these four legendary quarterbacks.
While Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes command respect on the gridiron, their 12 holes at the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas during The Match showed that they're all ready to take shots at one another when given the chance. Even commentators Charles Barkley, J.J. Watt and Trevor Immelman joined in on the trash talk going on.
Rodgers and Brady might have had the last laugh with the win, but there were plenty of blows traded between all four quarterbacks that added to the entertainment of the sixth edition of The Match.
THE MATCH 2022: Rodgers' clutch putt seals win with Brady against Mahomes, Allen
Here's a look at some of the highlights of their trash talking throughout Wednesday's golf outing.
Best trash talk moments
To be clear, the trash talk didn't just start when the golfers arrived to the course on Wednesday. There had already been plenty dished out, especially by the two veteran QBs ahead of the 12-hole event.
As the four previewed The Match with Watt, it became clear that even teammates would not be spared. Mahomes said Allen's biggest fear was a coin toss, alluding to the outcome of their AFC divisional round matchup in the 2022 NFL playoffs.
Pat Mahomes says Josh Allen's biggest fear is "coin toss".
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) June 1, 2022
Allen not happy, comes back with: "Pat's biggest fear is letting me down on the course today."
Joking friction from Match teammates. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/4nHUrVzrNZ
Allen was clearly been prepared for his moment, though. When asked what golf balls he would be using, he was all too eager to bust out one with Brady's famous NFL combine picture on it.
lol Josh Allen's golf ball has Tom Brady's NFL Combine picture on it 🤣 pic.twitter.com/15nydJs0kA
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) June 1, 2022
Brady seemed all too ready for that, however. During The Match, he unveiled one he showed to Allen that featured a Lombardi Trophy. Brady has hoisted the trophy seven times, while Rodgers and Mahomes have each held it once. Allen was the only quarterback to have never played in the Super Bowl.
Tom Brady has a comeback for Josh Allen's combine picture ball.
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) June 1, 2022
It's a good comeback, but Allen's troll was epic.
He's still the winner in this battle. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/C8QNFCa0wP
Brady took aim again at his former AFC East foe. The Buccaneers quarterback had previously prodded Allen for his 'baby fat,' so to add to it, after Brady wasn't happy with a shot that he had on an approach to the green, he referred to his strike as "a little chunky. I call that a little Josh Allen-y." Allen assured Brady the production crew would fix his appearance in post-production, perhaps a subtle nod to Brady's questionable hole-out drone video.
"A little chunky, a little Josh Allen-y" 😭
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 2, 2022
Tom Brady taking out his frustration on his opponent
(@att) pic.twitter.com/HSEHpN8lsC
After Brady and Rodgers got off to an early two-stroke lead, Rodgers suggested that perhaps the two veterans needed to help keep the match more entertaining.
Aaron Rodgers after going 2 up after 2: "You guys want us to stretch this out?" 😂
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) June 1, 2022
Allen suggested, however, that it might be due to the older quarterbacks skipping OTAs.
“These guys are pretty good at golf. That’s what happens when you don't go to OTAs.”
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) June 2, 2022
Josh Allen throwing shade at the old vets 😂#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/0oBY5oFwCw
As would be expected in a match between four quarterbacks and non-professional golfers, there were some shanks. Maybe, more than a couple.
Fans were nearly constantly in the danger zone as "fore" became used as frequently on the course as "hike" on the football field-- Shots were hooked and shanked right and left throughout the event. This is where Barkley, who played in the November 2020 edition of The Match and was now announcing the showcase, began to weigh in on the talents of the golfers.
And it was PEAK Charles Barkley!
Charles Barkley on spectators in the area of the QB's shots. "All these people need to stand in the middle of the fairway. They'll be safe" #TheMatch
— Mike Catalana (@MikeCatalana) June 2, 2022
“These football players should’ve brought a bunch of helmets out here for these fans.” — Charles Barkley
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) June 2, 2022
Best commentary line of #TheMatch thus far comes compliments of @_CharlesBarkley after a @PatrickMahomes chip: “The operation was a success, but the patient died”. 🤣😂🤣
— Benjamin Caldwell (@BenCaldwell608) June 2, 2022
I love Barkley, “I give these guys credit, not easy to embarrass yourself on national TV.” 😆
— Leo Roth (@leoroth) June 2, 2022
“If I get hit we’re not going to be TNT anymore, it’s going to be the TNT Charles Barkley Network because I’m going to sue all of you”
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) June 2, 2022
Charles Barkley the funniest man on Earth. #TheMatch
Barkley's commentary wasn't just aimed at the golfers on the course. He even fired at his "Inside the NBA" colleague Shaquille O'Neal and how his absence improved Barkley's day, and how Justin Thomas, winner of the 2022 PGA Championship and former Alabama golfer, couldn't get in to Barkley's alma mater, Auburn.
"That's the good thing about golf, I don't have to be around that idiot." 🤣
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 2, 2022
Chuck had to roast Shaq during #CapitalOnesTheMatch (@CapitalOne) pic.twitter.com/pqeey9jowA
Barkley on JT: "Unfortunately he went to Alabama because he didn't have the grades to go to Auburn."
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) June 2, 2022
Watt was ready to push back on Barkley, first saying he'd be ready to fight the former NBA star and another taking a dig at his forehead.
Charles Barkley: "JJ, you don't want this smoke."
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) June 1, 2022
JJ Watt: "Actually, I think I do."
The Match commentary:
— Jack Benjamin (@JackBenjaminPxP) June 2, 2022
“Tom Brady has killed me. I lost a ton on my Falcons bet. Was going nuts at half”
“If I get hit by a ball, they’ll have to change from TNT to the Charles Barkley Network”
JJ Watt “I’m getting sunburnt on both sides, sun left, Chuck’s forehead right”
💀 pic.twitter.com/q3yVClZ4k9
Immelman, who won the 2008 Masters, also helped take aim at Barkley, particularly his golf skills.
“I have yet to understand
— David Titchenal (@DCTitch11) June 2, 2022
the reasoning behind your confidence.”
😅
Said Trevor Immelman about the Chuckster@NBAonTNT
Best trash talk line of the night during #TheMatch low key came from Trevor Immelman.
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) June 2, 2022
Barkley: I only shoot an 85 now. I don’t shoot over that.
Trevor: So after 85 do you just pick up your ball and walk off the course or what?
He also tried to help Brady with his swing at one point, advising him to aim a bit farther to the right. When the result was a hooked shot well right, Brady made sure to let him know about it.
Best trash talk line of the night during #TheMatch low key came from Trevor Immelman.
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) June 2, 2022
Barkley: I only shoot an 85 now. I don’t shoot over that.
Trevor: So after 85 do you just pick up your ball and walk off the course or what?
While The Match certainly had its fair share of ribbing, in the end, it was all fun and games with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for charity. And if Mahomes is any indication, this might not be the last we see of these quarterbacks taking part in the annual event.
Had a hella of a time at #TheMatch today! I say we should run it back! @TomBrady @AaronRodgers12 @JoshAllenQB
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 2, 2022