Jags owner: Meyer must regain our trust, respect after inexcusable conduct
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan chastised Urban Meyer's actions after a controversial bar video involving the head coach and a woman who was not his wife went viral over the weekend.
"I have addressed this matter with Urban. Specifics of our conversation will be held in confidence," Khan wrote in a statement on Tuesday. "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."
A video posted on social media this weekend showed a woman dancing in the head coach's lap. Meyer, who didn't fly back with the team after Thursday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, told reporters Monday he apologized to the team and his family for the incident, calling his actions "just stupid."
The event impacted the Jaguars' locker room as well. One anonymous player told NFL Network's Michael Silver that the coach has "zero credibility in that stadium" before adding Meyer had little to begin with.
Players also reportedly took issue with his apology. Meyer canceled team meetings Monday and chose to apologize to position groups rather than face the entire team, Silver added. One player reportedly said Meyer was "too scared" to face everyone at once.
When asked Tuesday about getting his team ready for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, Meyer said he hopes his players will be able to put aside the distraction he's caused.
"I’m going to be extremely clear as I can; our staff is working their tails off," said Meyer, according to Mark Long of The Associated Press. "But you know as well as I do that the ownership of this team is with the players.”
The Jaguars hired Meyer earlier this year in hopes of revitalizing the franchise. However, the first-time NFL head coach's tenure has been clouded with controversy since he took over.
Meyer's initial decision to bring Chris Doyle on his staff earlier this year was met with loud criticism as Doyle faced allegations of racism and bullying during his time at Iowa. Doyle resigned from the position one day after accepting the job.
Jacksonville has also struggled on the field under Meyer, losing four straight games to open the 2021 season.