Melissa Gorga is speaking candidly about her kids' involvement in prep sports.
Just days after her sons, Gino and Joey Jr., returned to the classroom, The Real Housewives of New Jersey mom shed more light on the boys’ 2024-25 football season. Melissa addressed the topic in the September 5 episode of her On Display podcast with her husband/guest, Joe Gorga.
Melissa Gorga on her sons' HS football season: "It bothers me"
“Both of our boys are in football and I feel like they’re both having two totally different experiences,” the Jersey ’Wife said. “Does it bother you at all, Joe? Because it bothers me a little bit.”
Melissa said her youngest son, Joey, who just started his freshman year, is having “an amazing” season, so far; however, her oldest son, Gino, who is now a high school junior, isn’t getting as much playtime.
“And it’s not because one’s better than the other. It’s truly not,” she explained. “It’s because of the lineup and how it goes and who played here in eighth grade and who didn’t.”
Melissa doesn't feel like her son Gino is getting a "fair shot" in football
Melissa said the family had moved from Montville to Franklin Lakes when Gino was a freshman and Joey was a sixth-grader, which meant the high school coaches had a better idea of the latter’s athleticism before he even graduated junior high.
“Joey played football in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade in town (Franklin Lakes), so coaches had their eye on him,” she explained. “Gino was moved here during his freshman year, so the coaches didn’t get to see him play in junior high… We just feel like [Gino] isn’t getting as much playtime or as much of a fair shot as Joey.
Joe Gorga shares his thoughts on his sons' football experiences
Melissa’s hubby said it seemed that “seniority” was a huge factor when it came to selecting first-string players.
“I just don’t go for that,” Joe added. “I go by, like, ‘Listen, the best man plays and everybody should try out and go. No one starts until you go through camp and you grind it out and the best play.’”
Melissa said Gino had an impressive run with his Montville football team — so much so that she was confident he’d be a starting high school player had they stayed in that town.
“It’s just frustrating, but I know a lot of parents can relate to this,” Melissa continued. “It’s a real thing and it happens and it’s very frustrating… and, you know, we all want to take a step back… we don’t ever speak on it or say anything to coaches.”
Melissa applauds Gino and Joey's success in school sports
The situation was far from ideal but Melissa managed to find a silver lining. While Gino’s football experience wasn’t as great as Joey’s, she pointed out that her oldest son was having a lot of success in another sport.
“Gino is such an amazing wrestler, right? He’s a star,” she said to her husband. “He’s just an amazing wrestler. Let Joey have this thing… You’re always posting and talking about how Gino is such a great wrestler; so don’t you kind of like that they both have something that they’re kind of excelling in?”
Joe agreed.
“They’re both doing two different things and they’re both great at them,” he said. “I respect that. I love that.”
