Jaguars owner reprimands Meyer for 'inexcusable' behavior
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) ā Urban Meyer's NFL venture always had the chance to be a complete debacle.
A longtime college coach making the jump to a league he knew little, if anything, about? A renowned motivator using inspirational tactics on professional players driven mostly by money? A guy who built programs and his reputation on stockpiling more talent than his opponents taking over a league laughingstock devoid of playmakers?
It was a long shot, at best, that the Jacksonville Jaguars would be Meyer's latest and greatest success story. A failed experiment would be the more likely outcome. Meyer's not there yet, but he's headed in that direction. And no one could have seen it happening this fast or being this extreme.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan publicly reprimanded Meyer on Tuesday for the coachās āinexcusableā behavior at an Ohio bar over the weekend. Meyerās actions were the latest embarrassment for a franchise thatās been mostly a bottom feeder since Khan took over in 2012.
Khan released a statement condemning Meyer's actions, which were captured on video and released on social media. One shows a young woman dancing close to Meyerās lap as he sits on a bar stool, a clip that quickly went viral. A second, more damning video appears to show Meyer touching the womanās behind.
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āI have addressed this matter with Urban. Specifics of our conversation will be held in confidence. What I will say is his conduct last weekend was inexcusable,ā Khan said. āI appreciate Urbanās remorse, which I believe is sincere. Now, he must regain our trust and respect. That will require a personal commitment from Urban to everyone who supports, represents or plays for our team. I am confident he will deliver.ā
Meyer apologized Monday to his family, team and Khan. He spoke to his players and vowed to āown it,ā the motto he uses daily and has plastered all around the Jaguars facility.
āJust stupid," Meyer said. "Should not have put myself in that kind of position.ā
Meyer addressed Khan's reprimand on his weekly radio show Tuesday, saying āthe conversations have been horrible."
āThe locker room has been my entire life. Thatās all Iāve ever looked at. When I was a young coach ... I would always say that thereās only one thing that matters in this whole facility or organization and thatās the locker room," Meyer said. "You know, how we build it, how we treat it, how we earn their trust. ...
"The fact that I became a distraction, Iāve got to earn their trust back from that.ā
Jacksonville (0-4), which has lost a franchise-record 19 consecutive games, hosts Tennessee (2-2) on Sunday. Meyer raised eyebrows by saying his team captains would play a pivotal role in getting the Jaguars back on track and ready to play following several days of distrust.
āI donāt believe thatās in my court," he said. "The leaders on the team are going to make that decision. It depends on how much trust you have built up with them, how we structure everything this week and focus on winning that game. Iām going to be extremely clear as I can: Our staff is working their tails off. But you know as well as I do that the ownership of this team is with the players.ā
Meyer didnāt fly back with his winless team following Jacksonvilleās 24-21 loss at Cincinnati on Thursday night, a highly unusual move for any coach.
Instead, he remained in his home state of Ohio to see family members and went to dinner Friday at his restaurant/bar in Columbus, Urban Meyerās Pint House.
The first video shows a young blond woman dancing between the 57-year-old Meyerās legs as he was sitting on a bar stool. The second, taken from a different angle, shows Meyer's right hand on or near her bottom.
Meyer said heās concerned the videos could have long-term ramifications with players he has asked to buy into his makeover.
āEvery locker room is different. Every team is different," he said. "Iāve told people a teamās a living organism thatās driven obviously by a culture and driven by leaders. I believe we have a very strong culture. I know we have incredible leaders. But this oneās on me to go out and coach my very best, give them everything possible that I could do to help them have success.ā
Meyer also vowed to repair fractured relationships, including regaining Khan's trust.
āI made a comment when I got here about the logo, about an owner who wants to win in the worst way," Meyer said. "Thatās one of the reasons I came here. I just admire that guy so much. His drive is in the purest form and it is for Jacksonville. And so, thatās what makes me so angry at myself that I lived that, I believe that, and I failed. And Iāve got to get it back, and I will.ā
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