Joe Judge’s first season as an NFL head coach was unique in many ways, but perhaps one of the biggest to him was the loss of having fans in the stands – and the unique situations that brought at various times in various locations.
“Not having fans in the stadium, there were some things you just couldn’t prepare for – like on the road, you come out of a locker room to complete silence and wait in 11 minutes for complete silence until the other team comes out and the National Anthem begins,” Judge said during an appearance on WFAN’s Carton & Roberts Show Monday. “We’d just sit there on headsets sometimes, saying this is strange.”
Judge pointed to specific examples beyond that, like being able to hear every word on the field when there as an injury on opening night against Pittsburgh and artificial noise was cut off – and one where he got to hear more than he bargained for in Cleveland.
“During that game in Cleveland, there was a penalty, and I could hear every choice word on the other sideline,” Judge said. “Those are things that don’t normally happen, that you have to get used to as best you can.”
While he may seem like a stoic guy in the vein of his mentors, Bill Belichick and Nick Saban, Judge says he “has a lot of fun every day” as Giants head coach, more so when players are around.
“I don’t always come out there and show every angle of my personality, but the fun is competing with the players, seeing them develop and have success on the field,” Judge said. “Sitting in the building in the offseason it can drag, but when the players get there, that’s when the energy comes, and the fun comes from seeing them do things you taught them and have success.”
That success will come on the Giants’ watch – when asked by Evan about “tank-gate” last year, all he said was “we have to do better ourselves, and not put our destiny in anyone else’s hands” – and he can’t wait until it happens with 80,000 screaming members of Big Blue Nation at the Meadowlands.
“All the interactions I’ve had with fans have been awesome. I love them and love to be here, and can’t wait until fans are in the stadium,” Judge said. “I don’t know if they truly know how much we rely on them and their energy. Even on the road, those boos can make you feel at home in a good way, like it’s us against the world.”
Judge has been able to get out more now that restrictions are lifting in Jersey, but he knows that a day will come where the Giants’ cheers turn to “Bronx cheers” and even boos – but he’s ready, because he lives by the mantra “loved or hated, always respected.”
“You’re in New York; if you don’t take care of business, they bought tickets and have every right to boo you,” Judge said. “As far as how fans may feel about me, I don’t know anyone who wants to be disliked, but I’d rather be respected, and they can only respect you if they know you work hard.”
Listen to Joe Judge’s entire segment with Carton & Roberts below!
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