University of Mississippi quarterbacks coach Joe Judge raised more than a few eyebrows on Thursday, February 12, when he revealed in court what he tells his players’ partners who have children.
“We would have to educate,” said Judge, 44. “This is always a tough conversation to have. It’s not even popular. We would have to educate significant others who may have been pregnant during the season or have a baby during the season. And you have to educate them on, ‘You have this baby in the middle of season, that father has to play good football, right?’”
Judge was speaking in a Pittsboro, Mississippi, court during his quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ injunction hearing as he seeks a sixth season of NCAA eligibility. The court ultimately ruled the NCAA “operated in bad faith” in denying Chambliss, 23, an extra season and ruled in his favor.
Judge continued, explaining that during the season, his players need to prioritize football.
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“It’s a day-by-day production business. He has to be ready to perform and go out there and play. And when I say that is, you need to let him sleep. He needs to be in another room, detached. You have to explain to the mother like, ‘Hey, listen, he ain’t waking up for midnight feedings. After the season, he’s full metal jacket. You do whatever you want with him. He can change every diaper. But in season, he’s got to have different priorities.’”
Judge, who also served as head coach of the New York Giants from 2020 to 2021, shares four kids with his wife, Amber, including son Sean, who plays tight end for the Rebels.
Video of the coach’s comments led to immediate backlash on social media, including from Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Overshown, 25, is a father of two himself.
“Don’t listen to this young men,” he wrote via X in a quoted post of the video. “Be there for the mother of your child and let the rest take care of itself. Those midnight feedings turns into financial freedom because nothing will inspire you more than being a great father.”
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ACC Network reporter Taylor Tannebaum added that football players aren’t the only ones with jobs.
“Moms also work,” she wrote. “Moms are in school working toward a degree. Mom’s mental matters too.”
College sports reporter Kelsey Nicole Nelson agreed.
“So during the season essentially Joe Judge is saying to not treat the athletes like humans and that their players or players children don’t deserve any rights,” she wrote. “Nasty work. They are being entrusted with raising young men and student-athletes.”
“Sure hope he never talks about developing his players into good men. Ever,” NFL.com columnist Judy Battista added.
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But not every reaction was negative. Judge had his defenders, including Pat Leonard, who covers the Giants for The Athletic.
“Joe is a good person, and he’s speaking about the realities of managing responsibilities for college players and their significant others during that uniquely pressurized period of their lives,” he wrote. “Clipping this to ‘get’ him is bulls***.”
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