Unfiltered: Wildest Shane Gillis ESPYs 2025 Jokes
Simone Biles Height Joke
Shane Gillis made a daring joke about Simone Biles' height and her many gold medals, comparing her to a leprechaun. The humor lies in the unexpected, somewhat absurd comparison and the meta-commentary on the joke itself, pushing boundaries with his characteristic delivery in a mainstream setting.
Michigan Cheating Joke
Gillis, ever the equal-opportunity provocateur, took a jab at Michigan's sign-stealing scandal. He quipped that Michigan "didn't cheat this time" and questioned why they face "no repercussions." The joke landed with fans familiar with the controversy, highlighting his willingness to tackle recent, sensitive sports topics head-on.
"Go Birds" Fan Service
As a known Philadelphia Eagles fan, Shane Gillis delivered consistent "Go Birds" chants throughout the night. This running gag was a simple, yet effective piece of fan service, directly appealing to Eagles supporters in the audience and at home, showcasing his personal allegiance amidst the broader sports celebration.
Karl-Anthony Towns Speculation Joke
Gillis acknowledged the Knicks' good season, then directly addressed Karl-Anthony Towns with a casual "hey girl." This joke playfully leaned into long-standing, unfounded speculation about Towns' sexuality, using a familiar, informal greeting to deliver an unexpected and boundary-pushing punchline, characteristic of Gillis's style.
Shohei Ohtani Gambling Joke
Referencing the recent gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Gillis quipped that Ohtani is a "once-in-a-generation talent" who excels at "pitcher, hitter and bookie." The joke cleverly leveraged a sensitive, high-profile controversy, finding dark humor in Ohtani's interpreter's alleged actions and the public fascination surrounding them.
Travis Hunter/Norm Macdonald Tribute Joke
Gillis paid homage to Norm Macdonald's infamous O.J. Simpson joke, congratulating Travis Hunter on his Heisman, adding, "that's something they can never take away from you. Unless you kill your wife and a waiter." This bold callback to a controversial comedic classic showcased Gillis's influences and willingness to embrace dark humor.
Aaron Rodgers Vaccine Joke
Shane Gillis lampooned Aaron Rodgers' vaccine stance, saying Rodgers "predicted it would be bad for him," then noting he "joined the New York Jets." The humor hinges on the implied comparison that joining the Jets was equally, if not more, detrimental than vaccine side effects, cleverly mocking Rodgers' decision-making and the Jets' struggles.
Shedeur Sanders Nepotism Joke
Gillis took aim at the nepotism accusations surrounding Shedeur Sanders. He sarcastically claimed Sanders' jersey retirement was for his 13-12 career record and almost winning the Alamo Bowl, insisting it's "definitely not nepotism, right?" The joke cleverly highlighted the perceived absurdity of the situation, directly calling out the obvious influence.
Bill Belichick Bedtime Story Joke
Shane Gillis imagined Bill Belichick reading bedtime stories to his 24-year-old girlfriend. The punchline, "The Little Engine that Could But Needed a Pill First," is a double-edged jab. It humorously references both the age gap and Belichick's notoriously gruff demeanor, offering a surprising, slightly risqué twist on a classic children's tale.
Diddy Party Reference
Gillis riffed on the lack of afterparties, blaming the audience: "You guys pigged out on the after parties and now we're not allowed to have them anymore." This joke was a thinly veiled, but unmistakable, reference to the highly publicized "Diddy parties" scandal, tapping into a current, controversial cultural event with his typical bluntness.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Foul Trouble Joke
Shane Gillis pointed out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the crowd and quipped, "Everybody sitting around him is in foul trouble." This joke cleverly plays on SGA's remarkable ability to draw fouls on the court, translating his on-court impact into a dry, relatable observational gag about his intimidating presence.
Donald Trump Immigration/Juan Soto Joke
Gillis delivered a layered political-sports joke, claiming Joe Rogan wanted him to capture Adam Silver (as an alien), while Donald Trump wanted him to capture Juan Soto "for the same reason" (implying Soto's Dominican origin in a controversial immigration context). It's a provocative, multi-layered joke challenging current political narratives.
Caitlin Clark Waffle House Joke
This deeply controversial joke saw Gillis claim Caitlin Clark would work at Waffle House post-WNBA retirement to "continue doing what she loves most: fist fighting black women." The joke, condemned by many, played on stereotypes and racist tropes, generating widespread outrage for its explicit and offensive content.
Epstein Joke
After a joke about Trump and Mike Pence, Gillis slyly mentioned, "Actually, there was supposed to be an Epstein joke here, but I guess it got deleted..." This meta-joke brilliantly poked fun at censorship and the sensitivity surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, implying the content was too hot for TV and drawing attention to its absence.
Brittany Hicks WNBA Star Trick
Shane Gillis masterfully tricked the audience by introducing his "4x WNBA All-Star Brittany Hicks," then immediately revealed, "I'm just joking around; that's my friend's wife, I knew none of you knew WNBA players." This audacious joke, directly confronting audience ignorance about WNBA stars, was widely seen as the most impactful and controversial of the night.
