By the end of February 13, after multiple denials and appeals, Trinidad Chambliss had it. Judge Robert Whitwell granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, which makes him eligible for 2026. But one development that stood out at the hearing was Ole Miss QB coach Joe Judge’s comments on sleep, family, and football. Not everyone liked what he said, including the Rebels’ former head coach Lane Kiffin. But just a day after his testimony went viral, he addressed it head-on.

“Some of my comments from Thursday have been taken out of context, so I’d like to provide some clarity,” Joe Judge wrote on February 14 on X. 

Judge explained that during a discussion about Trinidad Chambliss’ sleep apnea, he referenced conversations from his 12 NFL seasons about recovery and balancing family dynamics during the grind of a season. 

“These are discussions I was a part of at the professional level from veteran players based on their own experience managing similar situations,” he added. “These are not discussions we’ve had at the collegiate level. As a husband and father of four children, I understand those challenges first hand and would never diminish the commitment to family.”

Joe Judge’s clarification came swiftly, but the internet had already picked a side after his previous comments. During testimony, he was asked how important sleep is for performance. And he went as far as to suggest going into DND mode during the season. 

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“This is always a tough conversation to have. It’s not going to be a popular opinion, but this is the truth,” he said as he described educating NFL families during the season. “You have this baby in the middle of the season, that father has to play good football.” 

Judge essentially meant that even if there’s a mother who needs help with the baby, they should know enough not to disturb the father at night so he can rest well for his job.

“It’s a day-by-day production business,” he said. “He has to be ready to perform and go out there and play. And when I say that, [what I mean] 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.’”

Although he did add that all the responsibilities come back after the season ends, the backlash came quickly. Critics framed it as dismissive of parental responsibility. The testimony was meant to underscore recovery standards tied to Trinidad Chambliss’ documented sleep apnea. Instead, it became a social media flashpoint, and Lane Kiffin thrives in such an environment. 

With Lane Kiffin around, things are never boring

Lane Kiffin saw the courtroom developments and made sure he let Joe Judge see a piece of his mind. But before that, he made sure he gave his former QB his regards by posting the Trinidad and Tobago flag. It’s a nod to Trinidad Chambliss and the “Trinidad Magic” that powered Ole Miss last season as the Rebels finished with a 13-2 record and a CFP semifinal appearance. Then came another reaction. 

As Joe Judge’s testimony circulated, the Tigers’ head coach chimed in again with a short yet piercing post.

“Joe. 🤦‍♂️”

Lane Kiffin had promoted Judge to QB coach in 2025 before leaving for LSU and chose not to bring him along. 

But social media drama aside, Trinidad Chambliss’ confirmed return is a huge win for Pete Golding’s first year as Ole Miss head coach. The 23-year-old enters 2026 as a legitimate Heisman contender after finishing third in the FBS with 3,937 passing yards and 22 TDs against just three interceptions. Whether he’ll be able to make another run for the CFP remains to be seen.