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Dan Wetzel
Multiple Authors
In a small courtroom of a Mississippi town with a mere population of 202, the football community anxiously anticipated a ruling on the college eligibility of Ole Miss’s standout quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss.
finally, Chambliss was granted an injunction against the NCAA, giving him an additional year of eligibility and returning him to Oxford as a Heisman contender for the championship-bound Rebels. The NFL draft would have to wait for another year.
although the importance of the ruling, the topic that sparked the most fervent debate was … fatherhood?
A part of Chambliss’ case argued that a serious bout of tonsillitis in 2022 severely disrupted his sleep, preventing him from participating on the field, thereby justifying a medical redshirt season.
Joe Judge, Ole Miss’s quarterbacks coach and former head coach of the New York Giants, was called to testify on behalf of Chambliss. He was questioned about the significance of sleep for football players.
Judge chose to draw on his extensive experience in both the NFL and college football, discussing how he approached players who had a child during the season — and their partners.
“We would have to educate,” Judge noted regarding conversations with the baby’s mother. “These are always challenging discussions. They aren’t always well-received.
“We would discuss with significant others who may have been pregnant during the season or given birth during the season,” Judge elaborated.
“You must explain that if a father has a baby in the middle of the season, he has to play well on the field. This is a daily performance business. He needs his rest to be prepared, so he should be in a separate room.”
“You have to convey to the mother that, ‘Hey, he won’t be waking up for midnight feedings. Once the season concludes, he’s all in. He can change every diaper you throw at him. But during the season, priorities need to shift,'” Judge added.
Football coaches provide more than just tactical lessons; they impart life lessons … that sometimes feel like they’re from a bygone era.
Let’s extend some understanding to Joe Judge. As a married father of four, he’s notable in the football community for his integrity and family-oriented outlook, which is not something you find everywhere in that profession. Testifying can be intimidating, and had he the chance to revise his statement, he might have omitted that analogy or provided additional context.
His goal was to support his player in obtaining an injunction; he certainly didn’t anticipate it becoming a viral topic.
After all, if one parent opts to endure the exhausting routine of nightly feedings and diaper changes so the other can rest soundly because they have a game coming up, that’s their choice as a couple.
instead, perhaps Judge’s suggestion — considering the substantial financial rewards for college players and his previous NFL athletes — was to hire a night nurse or involve family support to lighten the load.
Regardless, this prompted a heated debate regarding fatherhood.
“Ignore this advice, young men,” wrote DeMarvion Overshown, a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and a father of two, in a social media post featuring a clip of Judge’s remarks. “Be there for the mother of your child and let everything else fall into place.”
“Those late-night feedings can lead to financial freedom, as nothing motivates you more than being a great father,” Overshown concluded.
He couldn’t be more right.
Being a father isn’t about showing up when it’s easy or when you’re well-rested. It’s about being present during the challenging moments, of which there are more than a new dad can imagine, far surpassing the inconvenience of 2 a.m. wake-ups (small children, small issues; bigger kids, bigger issues).
These early experiences are about forming an irreplaceable bond with a child, a relationship that reshapes your entire existence, motivating you to strive to be your best self.
This journey involves embracing responsibility, focus, and perspective. It can inspire you to excel as a student, a worker, a friend, and certainly as a partner.
While adequate rest is important for athletes, so too is fostering a culture of selflessness and teamwork. Showing respect for their mother may be one of the most significant lessons a child can observe.
Navigating the balance between work and home is one of life’s significant challenges, regardless of whether your workplace is a packed football stadium or not. Supporting your family is a fundamental duty of every father, and providing goes beyond just financial stability.
Those late-night feedings often impart invaluable lessons that can only be learned through experience.
