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Urban Meyer says he apologized to Jaguars and his family for 'stupid' viral video

A morose Urban Meyer, often looking down at the podium in front of him, said at a news conference that he apologized to the Jacksonville Jaguars players, team owner Shad Khan and his family for a viral video that got a lot of traction this past weekend.

The video showed Meyer sitting at a bar, and a woman who was not his wife dancing on him. That came after the Jaguars had lost to the Bengals in Cincinnati on Thursday night to fall to 0-4. Meyer said he stayed behind to visit his grandchildren.

"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."

While it wasn't a good look for Meyer overall, it was also notable that he was still in Ohio — he was a highly successful coach at Ohio State — while his team is still winless this season. He said he "stayed to see the grandkids and we all went to dinner that night," and there was a big group next to theirs.

"They wanted me to come over and take pictures, and I did," Meyer said. "They're trying to pull me out on the dance floor, screwing around, I should have left."

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer apologized for a viral video. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer apologized for a viral video. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Meyer said the players were receptive to his apology. He said he talked one-on-one with the Jaguars' leaders as well as the whole team.

"They were good. They were focused on Tennessee," Meyer said, referring to Jacksonville's next opponent. "I apologized again for being a distraction. A coach should not be a distraction."

He was also asked if he apologized to his family.

"Of course I did," Meyer said. "That's not me. Oh, yeah, they were upset."

He said he talked to Khan, who was "very supportive," and also at length with general manager Trent Baalke.

Meyer has struggled transitioning to the NFL after a great college career. He has made several questionable football decisions and his team is one of the worst in football. On top of all that, Meyer found himself in the headlines for what he admitted wasn't the best off-field decision.