Stephen A. Smith believes Urban Meyer shouldn't be fired due to the viral video last week. (1:52).
JACKSONVILLE (Fla.) -- Urban Meyer, Jacksonville Jaguars coach, said that he has never thought about resigning after two viral videos of him with at least one woman at his Columbus restaurant.
He did apologize to staff and players in a team meeting Wednesday morning, and to fans on Wednesday to close his regular news conference. Meyer said that he was supportive of Shad Khan's public rebuke.
"I had at most three to four conversations with Shad. Meyer stated that the message was clear and loud, and she agreed with it. "I also met with the team Monday individually and today as a group. We had a very direct conversation and I admitted to a silly mistake I made. The job of a coach involves being No. 1. Safety and health of the player. No. No. 2 is to motivate them or bring out their greatness. No. No. 3 is to give them everything they need to succeed, give them a great locker area, and then let them go.
"And I sincerely apologize for the distraction caused by a big week ahead, especially since they have made such significant improvements from Week 1 through Week 4.
Meyer, 57 years old, apologized for his actions Friday morning, just one day after Cincinnati's 24-21 defeat. Meyer claimed that Meyer and his family went to Urban Meyer's Pint House, Columbus, and that people asked permission to take photos. Meyer claimed he should have stayed when people tried to get his attention to dance with them.
On Saturday night, a nine-second video of Meyer sitting at the bar with his back against the bar wearing an Ohio State pullover was uploaded to social media. A young woman danced near Meyer's lap. A second video, which appeared to have Meyer touching a woman's underside while he was at the bar, emerged just over an hour after Meyer's Monday news conference. The woman was wearing the same clothes as the woman in viral video -- jeans and a white top.
Khan issued a public reprimand Tuesday.
"I have discussed this matter with Urban. Khan released a statement confirming that details of the conversation would be kept confidential. "His conduct last weekend was unacceptable," Khan said in a statement. Urban's sincere remorse is something I admire. Urban must now regain our trust, respect and admiration. Urban must make a personal commitment to all who support, represent or play for our team. He will deliver, I'm confident."
Meyer stated Wednesday that he met individually with each position group on Monday, rather than in a team meeting.
Meyer stated, "I wanted in their space." I have a great relationship with the whole team. I don't like to go to team meetings. It's the only way I do it. I will go to running backs with a group of four. It's a large environment that makes team meetings very enjoyable.
"I don't think you get much done in a group meeting. When you have personal space with others, you get a lot more done. That's what I have done all my life."
Meyer stated that Khan was not fined and that he has not been contacted by anyone at the NFL's top office. Meyer also stated that eight to ten members of the Jaguars leadership council called him in the past few days to offer their support.
"They were extremely supportive and said, "We got you, man." Meyer stated, "We moved forward." "We moved forward," Meyer said.
Meyer said that he and Shelley still have a strong marriage and can work together to move on from the past.
Meyer stated, "I don’t want to get into their personal lives, but 37 years of marriage and it's been amazing, man." "And this speed bump is not going to get in our way of that."
Meyer ended his news conference by apologizing for the fans.
"I just want to say to the 904/Duval and our owner, you all know, like, Why did I decide that I would get out of my current job and do this?' Meyer stated.
"Jacksonville is a place I am very familiar with. "I know that our fans have been struggling along with us. I am sorry and want to clarify this."
