Jaguars coach Urban Meyer calls viral videos a ‘speed bump’ that won’t get in way of his marriage

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer on Wednesday continued to address the fallout from viral videos showing him and a young blonde woman getting very close to him.

A video surfaced Saturday night showing a woman dancing close to Meyer’s lap, a clip that quickly went viral and made headlines across the country. Another video appears to show Meyer touching the woman’s behind.

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He first spoke out about the incident on Monday, saying his family was “upset,” and called his actions “just stupid.” The following day, Jaguars owner Shad Khan called Meyer’s actions “inexcusable” but believed Meyer’s remorse was “sincere.”

On Wednesday, while speaking with the media, Meyer was asked about his wife, Shelley, and said he believed their relationship would be OK.

“I believe so, and obviously that’s very personal and I don’t want to get into our personal life. Thirty-seven years, we’ve been together and it’s been awesome and this speed bump’s not going to get in the way of that,” he said.

On Wednesday, Meyer said he’s had “at least 3 or 4 conversations with Shad.” He was not fined by Khan for his actions, Meyers added.

Meyer also said he “met with the team individually Monday and today” and was intent on “owning the stupid mistake I made.”

Shad Khan responds to viral videos featuring Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer apologized to his family, his team and owner Shad Khan for actions he called “just stupid.”

Meyer said he and quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Wednesday, “talked it through.”

“He’s one of the most unique people I’ve ever met,” Meyer said. “ ... So refreshing to be around a guy like that. His focus and his resolve is tremendous.”

Meyer said he regretted being a distraction to the team coming up on a big week, as they prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans at home. Meyer said keeping Titans running back and Yulee’s own Derrick Henry in check would be key.

“I coached against him (Derrick Henry) in one of those bowl games. He is a monster, one of the best combinations of size and speed,” Meyer said. ” ... We can’t let him get started.”

Meyer didn’t fly back with his winless team following Jacksonville’s 24-21 loss at Cincinnati on Thursday night. The three-time collegiate national championship-winning coach remained in his home state of Ohio to see family members and went to dinner Friday at his restaurant/bar in Columbus, Urban Meyer’s Pint House.

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Meyer was asked about the decision not to fly back with the team.

“I discussed it with Trent (Baalke, Jaguars General Manager) way in advance. ... I thought at the time ... this was a chance for everybody to clear their head, including myself” to go spend a day or two with family and “get outta Dodge.”

Meyer said he never felt distraught enough to consider resigning and said a win would be a big boost to the team in the wake of this.

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“I’m dealing with this personally, but a win, as far as the organization, the team, will do wonders,” he said.

Meyer closed out his news conference with an apology to the fans.

“To the 904 and Duval and our owner: why did I decide to come out of what I was doing and do this? Our owner, I just became, admire the guy so much. He’s become a friend, he’s a guy I, like I said, I just admire. Jacksonville, I know very well, I know our fans have been hanging in there with us and I apologize to them and I want to make that perfectly clear.”

Photos: Urban Meyer through the years

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