Why does Matthew Judon wear red sleeves? Bill Belichick reveals reason for Falcons LB's unique routine
Not many people know Matthew Judon as much as Bill Belichick. The former New England Patriots head coach signed the EDGE defender to a four-year deal in free agency, and Judon was a massive player for them during his three years under Belichick's guidance.
Sure, the head coach left the franchise and the EDGE was traded to the Atlanta Falcons due to his contract stalemate with the Patriots, but it seems that the Belichick-Judon relationship remains great. As the veteran coach appeared on Week 2's Manningcast, he explained why the defender always wear red sleeves when playing:
He's got on his red long sleeve shirt, you know, because his mother got real upset because he cut his elbow one time. He was bleeding and got blood all over his jersey. So now he wears red, so that when he gets his arm cut, his mother can't tell that he's bled.
Judon moved to the Patriots after starting his career with the Baltimore Ravens, for whom he became a good EDGE rusher before turning into a star in New England. His move to Atlanta has not seen him earning a contract extension, but he understands that he need to play well for the Falcons before asking for anything.
What was the injury suffered by Matthew Judon in the 2023 season?
One of the reasons that the New England Patriots were wary of spending on him is the fact that he was coming back from a serious injury in 2024. He suffered a torn lower bicep in Week 4 of the 2023 season and missed the remainder of the year, just like fellow defender Christian Gonzalez.
However, he still finished the season with four sacks in three and a half games. He was extremely important in a team that missed stars all year long, so keeping him would be a smart thing to do in a team that's clearly lacking star power. Jerod Mayo and Robert Kraft thought otherwise.
The Falcons acquired him for a 2025 third-round pick, a fair value considering his age, his injury story and his own quality.