Just in, the Jacksonville Jaguars formally declared their star player’s wife’s death, including…
Judy Coughlin passed away, according to a statement released by her family on Wednesday. Tom Coughlin was the executive vice president and former coach of the Jaguars. She was seventy-seven.
Progressive supranuclear palsy is an incurable brain disorder that impairs the ability to walk, speak, think, and control body movements. Judy Coughlin was diagnosed with it in July 2020.
“My cherished wife and our beloved grandmother, Judy Whitaker Coughlin, passed away this morning at the age of 77,” the statement read. “Judy was an extraordinary woman in every aspect. She gave selflessly of her heart and soul to others and lived a life full of love. Judy gave you the impression of being an old friend from the very first hug. Both on and off the field, she was a mother to everyone. The loss of Judy will never be fully understood by those who knew and loved her, but the tremendous kindness she bestowed upon others will never fade. Although our hearts are broken, we know that she is at peace with our Lord and no longer in pain.”
Past articles about the Coughlins:
Taking care of the caregivers: How Jay Fund’s new initiative was inspired by Tom Coughlin’s experience taking care of his wife
The diagnosisJudy Coughlin, the ex-Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin’s wife, has a terminal brain illness
From 1995 to 2002, Tom Coughlin served as the Jaguars’ first coach. He went on to win two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.
Shad Khan, the owner of the Jaguars, issued the following statement: “Even though I only knew Judy Coughlin briefly, it was a privilege for me to know her. Judy was kind, vivacious, upbeat, and an inspiration—everything I had been told to expect when her husband Tom rejoined the Jaguars in 2017. I am sorry for Tom, his family, and everyone who was touched by Judy here in Jacksonville and beyond. I witnessed firsthand the love and support Tom had for Judy. Judy was a genuine force for good, and everyone will miss her.”
“The hearts of the Jaguars faithful are heavy today with the passing of Judy Coughlin, who alongside her husband Tom helped lay the foundation of our franchise more than a quarter century ago,” the Jaguars released the following statement. We at the Jaguars organization send our sincere condolences to Coach Coughlin and his entire family on behalf of the entire team. We also invite the Jaguars community to show their support by finding out more about the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund. May Judy’s unwavering dedication to helping children and families affected by cancer serve as an example to all of us.”
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Because they had once lived across the street from one another at Marsh Landing during his playing career, Tony Boselli, the Hall of Fame offensive tackle for the Jaguars, and his wife Angi had a close relationship with the Coughlin family.
Beyond any casual or acquaintance relationship a player might have with the head coach’s wife, Tony’s admiration for Judy was immense.
Tony told the Times-Union on Wednesday, “Judy was the best, just an amazing woman.” “When we were raising our children, she was like a second mother to Angi. She would be in the coaching wives Hall of Fame if there were such a thing.
“Judy exhibited support throughout his coaching career, and Tom, a good man, reflected that support back to her during her medical struggles. There will be an angel in heaven.
Tom took on the role of full-time caregiver for Judy due to her disorder, and the couple’s four children and eleven grandchildren supported this decision.
