Urban Meyer Issues Statement, Apologizes Directly to Courtney Smith
On Wednesday night Ohio State University held a press conference in which the school announced it was suspending football coach Urban Meyer three games for his handling of domestic violence allegations against a former assistant.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway from that press conference wasn’t Meyer’s discipline, but rather the fact that he never apologized or addressed the victim in the whole situation, Courtney Smith.
Two days later, Meyer finally apologized to Smith — yet it didn’t come on-camera or even verbally. Meyer took to Twitter to post a statement in which he apologized to Smith and anyone else who is affected by domestic violence.
“Over the years, we have worked hard to educate and remind our coaches and players of the seriousness of relationship violence,” he said. “I understand my lack of more action in this situation has raised concerns about this commitment.
— Urban Meyer (@CoachUrbanMeyer) August 24, 2018
“I once again apologize for this, and I extend my empathy to all women, men and families who are affected by relationship violence. This has been a real learning experience for me.”
He concluded by saying, “Let me say here and now what I should have said on Wednesday: I sincerely apologize to Courtney Smith and her children for what they have gone through.”
During Wednesday’s press conference, Meyer was directly asked what message he had for Smith and he passed up on the chance to address her or apologize to her.
This is how Urban Meyer decided to address Courtney Smith.
This is such a horrible way to show you care for someone who is a VICTIM of domestic abuse!!
But #OhioState fans will say it was heartfelt.
Sad.
— CHRIS TORELLO 𝕏 (@TorelloSports) August 23, 2018
“Well, I have a message for everyone involved in this: I’m sorry were in this situation. I’m just sorry we’re in this situation.”
Meyer, athletic director Gene Smith and school president Michael Drake fielded questions for nearly 20 minutes on Wednesday after nearly 12 hours of deliberations.
None of the three mentioned Courtney Smith by name during their opening remarks or when fielding questions, but both Meyer and Gene Smith apologized to “Buckeye Nation” for their actions.
According to ESPN, Courtney Smith has not responded to questions about how she viewed Meyer’s “apology.”
Meyer has been on paid leave since Aug. 1 and will be suspended for games against Oregon State, Rutgers and TCU.
He cannot work with the team until Sep. 2, which is the day after the Oregon State opener. After that he can coach in practice but will remain suspended for the next two games.
Gene Smith will also be suspended from Aug. 31 to Sep. 16, and he said he “could have done a better job in this particular instance.”
Ohio State opens the season ranked No. 5 in the preseason Associated Press poll and No. 3 in the coaches poll. Meyer’s first game on the sideline will be on Sep. 22 vs. Tulane.
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