Ole Miss’s Joe Judge clarifies comments on players putting football over family

Ole Miss football team head coach Joe Judge recently sparked a massive debate during a court hearing for quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who is seeking a 6th year of eligibility after leading the Rebels to the 2025-26 College Football Playoff semifinals. Judge went viral for suggesting that players with families must prioritize football during the season, even suggesting they sleep in separate rooms to avoid midnight feedings.

These comments emerged as Judge supported Chambliss’s legal battle against the NCAA, which had previously denied the quarterback’s waiver for an extra year based on health issues during his sophomore season at Ferris State.

Despite the NCAA’s defense of its eligibility rules, a judge granted an official injunction, clearing the way for Chambliss to return to Oxford for the 2026 campaign.

Following the backlash to his testimony, Judge took to social media to provide further context.

“Some of my comments from Thursday have been taken out of context, so I’d like to provide some clarity,” he stated in a message shared on X. “In a discussion about Trinidad’s sleep apnea, I was trying to point out the importance that the NFL places on sleep for recovery and performance in addition to the education of balancing family dynamics during the football season.”

He explained that his perspective was shaped by his time in the professional ranks, and also admitted that “these are not discussions we’ve had at the collegiate level,” but emphasized his personal values as a family man.

pic.twitter.com/2gmdeP7zPq

— Joe Judge (@joe_judge1) February 14, 2026

The NCAA has vowed to continue defending its rules against such injunctions, citing a need to protect future generations of athletes. However, the ruling remains a significant victory for Ole Miss as they transition into their first full season under Judge following Lane Kiffin’s departure for LSU.

Chambliss, the reigning SEC Newcomer of the Year and Conerly Trophy winner, threw for nearly 4,000 yards last season and remains the center of the Rebels’ championship aspirations.

With the eligibility hurdle cleared and Judge clarifying his leadership philosophy, the focus now shifts to how the Rebels will maintain their momentum in 2026.

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