Former Jags Player Claims Urban Meyer Once Kicked Him During Practice
As Jags head coach Urban Meyer continues to lose support over claims of unprofessional behavior, a new report — released by the Tampa Bay Times — puts him at the center of inexcusable conduct yet again ... which lines up too well with his (unlucky) streak.
Josh Lambo spent four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars as their placekicker and was released by the team at the onset of the Urban Meyer regime. He spent the 2021-22 preseason with the Jags and was sub-par in his production, which Lambo claims led to a tasteless confrontation from Meyer in an ensuing practice.
During warmups, Meyer allegedly came over and kicked Lambo on his leg during a stretch — which Lambo did not consider painful but a sign of poor judgment from the Jags' leader and bad optics in front of neighboring players. Meyer also added some name-calling in the mix.
“I’m in a lunge position. Left leg forward, right leg back ... Urban Meyer, while I’m in that stretch position, comes up to me and says, ‘Hey Dips**t, make your f**king kicks!’ And kicks me in the leg,” Lambo claimed in his talks with the Times.
Lambo also attested to players on the Jags getting called by their position rather than by their name, and when Meyer did not opt for nomenclatures such as "kicker," he would resort to "d*pshit" or "sh*tbag." Lambo took great offense to the act and added that the perceived mockery fit in with his disassociation between him and his players — compounded by recent reports of Meyer berating members of the organization.
The Times received a response from Meyer on Lambo's allegation and anecdote.
“Josh’s characterization of me and this incident is completely inaccurate, and there are eyewitnesses to refute his account,” Meyer responded. “(General manager) Trent (Baalke) and I met with him on multiple occasions to encourage his performance, and this was never brought up. I was fully supportive of Josh during his time with the team and wish him nothing but the best.”
Lambo also reported a second run-in with Meyer that spilled over from their on-field confrontation. Meyer allegedly approached Lambo when the kicker was by himself and challenged him to "put a smile on that face," which Lambo responded, “... ‘I’ll smile if you’ll stop kicking me.’”
After the incidents, Lambo — joined by his legal representation — filed a claim to the Jaguars' legal council regarding the friction between him and his coach. The Jags claimed that they worked with Lambo on the matter, but he denies any outreach from team brass.
Lambo was an All-Pro selection in 2019.
If you're wondering where Meyer stands with the team after their Week 14 loss, read Joe Kinsey's story on Jags owner Shad Khan responding to rumors of Meyer's potential firing.
Read the full details of the Tampa Bay Times' story here.
Follow along on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela