Ex-Giants Coach Joe Judge Sparks Controversy with Parenting Comments

Judge's testimony in a lawsuit drew backlash for his views on players' family responsibilities during the season.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Former New York Giants head coach Joe Judge, now an assistant at Ole Miss, caused a stir with comments he made while testifying under oath in a court case. During the hearing, Judge discussed the need for coaches to have difficult conversations with players about prioritizing football over family responsibilities during the season, drawing criticism online.

Why it matters

Judge's remarks highlight the tensions that can arise between the demands of professional sports and players' personal lives. The comments underscore the uncompromising approach he was known for as Giants head coach, but also sparked backlash for their perceived insensitivity towards players' family obligations.

The details

While testifying in a lawsuit involving Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Judge discussed the importance of sleep for athletic performance. He then veered into controversial territory, describing how teams must "educate" players and their significant others that the player "has to play good football" even if their child is born during the season. Judge said the player should be "detached" and not wake up for midnight feedings, though he acknowledged post-season priorities can shift.

  • Judge testified in the court hearing on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Joe Judge

A former head coach of the New York Giants who is now serving as the quarterbacks coach at Ole Miss.

Trinidad Chambliss

An Ole Miss quarterback who successfully sought a medical redshirt and an extra year of eligibility for 2026 after respiratory issues impacted his prior play.

Lane Kiffin

The former head coach of Ole Miss, who reacted to Judge's comments on social media.

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What they’re saying

“This is always a tough conversation to have. It's not going to be a popular opinion, but this is the truth. We'd have to educate significant others who may have been pregnant during the season or were going to have a baby during the season. And you'd have to educate them on, you have this baby in the middle of the season, that father has to play good football.”

— Joe Judge, Former New York Giants Head Coach (New York Post)

What’s next

The comments made by Joe Judge during his testimony are likely to continue generating controversy and discussion around the balance between professional sports demands and players' personal lives.

The takeaway

Judge's uncompromising approach as a coach, which he displayed during his tenure with the Giants, is once again on full display with his remarks about players prioritizing football over family responsibilities during the season. While his views highlight the intense pressures of professional sports, they have also drawn significant backlash for their perceived insensitivity towards players' personal lives.