On Tuesday morning, former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin revealed the devastating news that his beloved wife, Judy, had been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy.
In an op-ed for the New York Times, Coughlin explained that the brain disorder has taken almost all of Judy’s ability to speak and move. As a result, he has become a full-time care-giver.
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“Our hearts are broken. Judy has been everything to our family. For the past four years, we’ve helplessly watched her go from a gracious woman with a gift for conversation, hugging all the people she met and making them feel they were the most important person in the room, to losing almost all ability to speak and move,” Coughlin wrote.
“She used to enjoy planning family get-togethers, going for morning walks and caring for her rosebushes; however, those activities are but distant memories. Her days are now filled with lying in bed, watching the Hallmark Channel, sitting in a wheelchair in the sun and receiving round-the-clock care. And what’s worse, she is trapped inside a body that will not allow her to be the person she was.”
As news of Judy’s condition spread, there was an outpouring of support for the Coughlin family from his former players, fans and members of the media alike.
On Wednesday, prior to a joint practice with the New England Patriots, that continued through current Giants head coach Joe Judge.
“I’d like to start off by offering our thoughts and prayers to Coach Coughlin and his wife, Judy,” Judge said. “What Coach Coughlin has done for the organization and his players speaks volumes. And he’s even taken it further with those dearest to him and his wife.
“So anything we can do to support the family as he supported the organization and always will — obviously Coach Coughlin has been great for me personally — so anything he ever needs from me, I’m here for him.”
Coughlin served as the Giants’ wide receiver coach from 1988 through 1990 and returned as their head coach from 2004 through 2015. During those two stints, Coughlin won three Super Bowl titles, including two as head coach.
Judy, of course, was by his side the entire time.
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