HACKENSACK, NJ — A judge on Friday rejected former NFL star Lawrence Taylor’s attempt to have the news media barred from court proceedings involving him and the mother of a 12-year-old girl he fathered, but has never met.

Ebony Washington of Secaucus is seeking to have child support payments increased for her daughter, who has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Taylor has filed a cross-claim to have the amount reduced. The child currently receives $456 per week, according to Washington’s attorney, Debra Weisberg.

Taylor’s attorney, James Key Jr., said the former New York Giants linebacker has never missed a support payment and that news stories have portrayed him.