Ole Miss Football Coach Faces Backlash Over Controversial Courtroom Remarks
An Ole Miss football coach has ignited a firestorm of criticism after disclosing the messages he sends to pregnant partners of his players during a bizarre courtroom moment. Rebels quarterbacks coach Joe Judge made the jaw-dropping admission while testifying on Thursday during an NCAA eligibility hearing for quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Shocking Admission in Court
While on the stand, Judge attempted to explain his process for engaging with wives and girlfriends of players to help their partners perform well on the field. However, his admission arguably did more harm than good, leaving many in the courtroom stunned, according to reports.
Judge stated: 'This is always a tough conversation to have. It's not going to be a popular opinion, but this is the truth. We would have to educate significant others who may have been pregnant during the season or are gonna have a baby during the season, and you'd have to educate them. You have this baby in the middle of the season, that father has to play good football,' the Ole Miss coach continued, to the dismay of those present.
Controversial Advice to Partners
Judge elaborated further, emphasizing the demands of the sport: '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, 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 can do whatever you want with him. He can change every diaper, but, in season, he's gotta have a different priority.'
Social Media Erupts in Criticism
Judge's comments swiftly went viral on social media, with fans expressing outrage and disbelief. One fan wrote on X: 'Imagine thinking football is more important than your family.' Another disgruntled supporter explained: 'Goofball messaging. I’m a father myself I’ll always prioritize my kids needs over anything else. On top of that the things a woman has to deal with post childbirth is far worse than being tired at practice.'
Additional reactions included astonishment, with one user stating: 'This can’t be real?!!!' and another commenting: 'Sad. I wouldn’t want my son playing for that temporary life coach.'
Background on Joe Judge and the Case
Though currently the quarterbacks coach for Ole Miss, Judge previously served as head coach for the New York Giants from 2020 to 2021. He also worked as an assistant coach for the New England Patriots between 2012 and 2019, winning three Super Bowls with the franchise during that period.
Just moments before his controversial remarks, Judge had expressed full support for Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who filed a lawsuit in Mississippi seeking a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. The college sports governing body recently denied the school's request for a medical hardship waiver, citing insufficient supporting evidence from Chambliss's previous school, Ferris State.
Details of Chambliss's Eligibility Battle
In the lawsuit, Chambliss's attorneys argued the denial was made in 'bad faith,' describing it as 'unreasonable and arbitrary.' They contend that, although Chambliss has participated in five total seasons, he was only active in three due to a series of illnesses. The filing, obtained by the Daily Mail, lists health issues including Epstein–Barr virus leading to mononucleosis, complicated by an extended bout with COVID-19 in 2020, and ongoing tonsil infections at Ferris State, as documented by Dr. Anthony Howard, an otolaryngologist in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
