Urban Meyer is on an apology tour in Jacksonville after losing the team’s respect and trust for his extra-curricular activities over the weekend.
After his viral photo controversy — when footage and photos surfaced of him dancing closely with a woman who’s not his wife – Meyer addressed his entire team again in a meeting early Wednesday morning, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
“Meyer was, from what I understand, honest and pretty forthright. He expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness from his team,” Rapoport said about Meyer’s speech.
“He basically took responsibility for what he did. He told his team he believed in them and loved them and said he cares about two things, really — football and family. He says he embarrassed them both.”
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Meyer also told his players that he “acted like an a–hole idiot.”
Meyer reportedly named his “wife of 37 years,” Shelley Meyer, while addressing the team Wednesday.
Meyer’s speech came after Jaguars owner, Shad Khan, said in a statement Tuesday that the first-year NFL coach has a “personal commitment” to earn back the team’s “trust and respect.”
That same day, Meyer, during his weekly radio show, said conversations with Jaguars coaches and players about the situation “have been horrible.” It is believed he had spoken to the team in position groups, and that Wednesday was the first time he addressed the squad as a whole.
“The fact that I became a distraction, I’ve got to earn their trust back from that,” Meyer said, via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. “I admire [Shad Khan] so much. … And so, that’s what makes me so angry at myself. I believe that, and I failed. And I’ve got to get it back, and I will.”
DiRocco on Wednesday tweeted that Meyer said he’s gotten “8-10 phone calls from players over last several days and they were supportive.”
During a Monday press conference ahead of Week 5, Meyer publicly apologized for being a “distraction” while out at a bar in Columbus, Ohio.
At the time, Meyer explained that he had spoken to the team, as well as “a bunch of” team leaders one on one. He also said that his family is “upset” with him.
Meyer said he has not been fined by the NFL or Khan in wake of the controversy.
The former Ohio State coach initially came under fire after he did not travel back to Jacksonville with the team following a Thursday night Week 4 loss to the Bengals.
The Jaguars (0-4) play host to the Titans (2-2) on Sunday.