Embattled Jaguars coach Urban Meyer apologizes for embarrassing viral video
To say that Meyer's jump to the NFL hasn't gone as planned would be an understatement.
Former Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer is used to winning, having earned three national titles, three Big Ten championships, and two SEC championships. However, that was at the collegiate level.
He's now in the NFL, and he's finding out first hand that the learning curve is far greater than maybe even he had anticipated. He and the Jacksonville Jaguars are now 0-4 so far to start the 2021 season following Thursday's 24-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. We've already heard reports that several members of the team are allegedly turned off by Meyer's coaching style, but it was what happened after the game that had the entire sports world talking.
A video of Meyer out at a restaurant on Friday night went viral, as it showed a young woman getting extremely friendly with the Jaguars coach, who is married. Meyer, who didn't travel back with the team to Jacksonville, said that he's since apologized to the team for creating this kind of distraction.
"I just apologized to the team and staff for being a distraction," Meyer said. "It's stupid. I explained everything that happened and owned it and, just stupid. I should not have myself in that kind of position."
"I stayed to see the grandkids, and we all went to dinner that night at the restaurant," Meyer said. "There was a big group next to our restaurant and they wanted me to come over and take pictures and I did."
"They were trying to pull me out on the dance floor, screwing around, and I should have left."
Meyer also said that he's apologized to his family, who are "upset" over his actions.
The embattled Jaguars coach said that the team as well as owner Shad Khan were receptive to his apology.
"I've always been so defensive of them [the players]," Meyer said. "I remember when Trevor [Lawrence] told me he was going to go to Vegas for his bachelor party. I was just like, 'My gosh, man, be careful and surround yourself because I've seen this happen.'
"The team, I spoke to a bunch of leaders one on one, spoke to all the players. They're good. They're focused on Tennessee. I apologized again for being a distraction. A coach should not be a distraction."
The Jaguars will host the Tennessee Titans this upcoming Sunday.
