Jags’ Meyer apologizes for ‘just stupid’ actions
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer apologized to his family, his team and owner Shad Khan for actions he called “just stupid.”
A video surfaced Saturday night showing a woman dancing close to Meyer’s lap, a clip that quickly went viral and made headlines across the country. Another video appears to show Meyer touching the woman’s behind.
Meyer called a team meeting Monday and vowed to “own it,” the motto he uses daily and has plastered all around the Jaguars facility.
“I just apologized to the team and staff for being a distraction,” Meyer told reporters afterward. “Just stupid and so I explained everything that happened and owned it. Just stupid. Should not have put myself in that kind of position.”
Meyer didn’t fly back with his winless team following Jacksonville’s 24-21 loss at Cincinnati on Thursday night. The three-time collegiate national championship-winning coach remained in his home state of Ohio to see family members and went to dinner Friday at his restaurant/bar in Columbus, Urban Meyer’s Pint House.
“I stayed to see the grandkids and we all went to the dinner that night,” he 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.”
The 9-second video showed a young blond woman dancing between the 57-year-old Meyer’s legs as he was sitting on a bar stool.
“I’ve always been so defensive of (my players),” he said. “I remember when
(rookie quarterback) 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.”
Meyer said he also apologized to his family.
“Yeah, yeah, of course I did,” he said. “That’s not me. Oh, yeah, they’re upset.”
The Jaguars (0-4) have lost 19 consecutive games, seven shy of tying the NFL record set by Tampa Bay in 1977. Meyer insists they have shown dramatic improvements since Week 1. MURRAY HAS CARDINALS ROLLING WITH 4-0 START >> Kyler Murray has progressed from a pretty good quarterback to one of the NFL’s elite in a hurry.
It’s a big reason why the Arizona Cardinals look as if they’re on the same track.
Arizona is 4-0 for the first time since 2012 after a 37-20 win over the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Rams.
Murray went 24 of 32 for 268 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in franchise history to complete at least 75% of his passes in three straight games.
Murray often downplays his team’s wins, but not on Sunday. Instead, he’s starting to see the progress he’s envisioned since he was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. The win snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Rams, who figure to battle the Cardinals all season in the tough NFC West.
“It was a good game,” Murray said. “We executed well, we fought from start to the end. I’m proud of the guys.”
Murray’s getting plenty of help. The defense is a much more complete unit, getting production from its young core of safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson, linebacker Isaiah Simmons and rookie cornerback Marco Wilson.
Third-year coach Kliff Kingsbury — who is now 17-18-1 — also appears to be growing more confident in his role.
“I feel like as a team, we understand we have a long way to go,” Kingsbury said. “You turn on the film and you see lots of ways we can get better . ... But it’s trending in the right direction. I like our progress so far.”
The Cardinals will spend a lot of time at home over the next month, starting with next Sunday’s game against division rival San Francisco. The 4-0 start doesn’t guarantee anything. Arizona was 6-3 last season before fading down the stretch and missing the playoffs.
JETS’ MAYE FACING DUI CHARGES >> New York Jets safety Marcus Maye is facing three misdemeanor charges following a DUI arrest after an alleged car accident in Florida in February.
Broward County court records show the 28-yearold Maye was charged on Feb. 22 with driving under the influence, DUI/damage to property, and leaving the scene of an accident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A Zoom hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20 in the case.
ESPN first reported the accident and charges Monday night.
Maye is also facing a civil suit “in excess” of $30,000 filed by the driver of the car he hit, according to court documents.
The accident had not previously been reported publicly, and it’s uncertain if the Jets were made aware by Maye of the incident before Monday night. The team told The Associated Press it would have no comment since it is a pending legal matter.