Jaguars owner Shad Khan says Urban Meyer must 'regain our trust, respect' as scandal reportedly hits 'crisis point'
Jacksonville Jaguars team owner Shad Khan called head coach Urban Meyer's behavior over the weekend "inexcusable" in a statement on Tuesday and added the first-year leader will need to "regain our trust and respect." Meyer has reportedly lost all credibility in the organization as it hits a "crisis point," per Michael Silver at Sports Illustrated.
A video that went viral on social media over the weekend showed Meyer sitting at a bar with a woman who was not his wife dancing on him. It happened after the Jaguars' loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, dropping their record to 0-4. Meyer stayed back as the team flew home to Jacksonville.
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 5, 2021
Khan's statement:
"I 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. I appreciate Urban's 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."
Meyer delivered an awkward apology during a news conference Monday. He said he spoke to the team, which he said was receptive, and talked one-on-one with team leaders.
"I just apologized to the team and the staff for being a distraction," Meyer said. "Just stupid."
"I explained everything that happened and owned it. Just stupid, shouldn't have myself in that kind of position."
He often looked down at the podium and explained that he stayed back in Ohio, where he coached at Ohio State, to see his grandchildren and go to dinner with family. He said he also apologized to his family and spoke with Khan, who he said was "very supportive."
The Jaguars host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday still looking for their first win of Meyer's tenure.
Meyer reportedly has 'zero credibility' with team
Though Meyer said the team was receptive to his apology, Sports Illustrated's Michael Silver reported a more concerning situation.
Silver said a player told him Meyer has "zero credibility in that stadium. He had very little to begin with." And that players were irritated Meyer canceled Monday's team meeting as he dealt with the backlash from the video.
2) Players were particularly put off by the fact that Meyer canceled Monday's team meeting, as he dealt with the uproar over the videos of him and a young woman getting cozy in that Ohio bar. 'He even canceled the team meeting. He was too scared,' a player said.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) October 5, 2021
4) Said one player: 'We looked at him like, WTF? Right when he left everyone started dying laughing. And he knew it.'
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) October 5, 2021
Meyer reportedly told the team the woman in the video was a random woman who "was just there dancing." Upon leaving the room, the team reportedly broke out laughing and remained skeptical that was the case. Per Silver:
"Bottom line, said the player: 'It's bad. I don't know how he's gonna function.'"
Meyer, 57, has already faced multiple controversies and questioning in his short time as head coach. It's been a rocky move for him from longtime college football coach to coaching an NFL team of adult men.
