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Ohio State: Urban Meyer issues public apology to Courtney Smith

Austin-Wardby:Austin Ward•08/24/18•

AWardSports

Urban Meyer 2 by Greg Bartram

COLUMBUS — The first apology from Urban Meyer didn’t include a mention of the woman who started the entire investigation at Ohio State.

Two days after the Buckeyes coach was suspended for three games during a bizarre, abbreviated press conference at the Longarberger Alumni House, Meyer addressed Courtney Smith by name and vowed to be a more active part of the solution for domestic violence.

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Urban Meyer apology

Ohio State will continue to work without Meyer until after the season-opening game against Oregon State, when part of his suspension will end and he can return to the practice field on Sept. 3. Meyer will then miss the following two games and as well as six total weeks of pay as part of his discipline for poor handling the employment of former wide receivers coach Zach Smith.

The Board of Trustees deliberated his future for nearly 12 hours this week after the independent, six-person panel delivered the findings of its investigation. That was followed by an impromptu press conference with school president Michael Drake, athletic director Gene Smith and Meyer that wasn’t nearly long enough to address the scope of the situation. And it was capped off by Meyer being asked to deliver a message to Courtney Smith, which he sidestepped by instead offering a general address.

“I have a message for everyone involved,” he said. “I’m sorry we’re in this situation.”

Meyer will still have more questions to answer moving forward, and it appears he realized that by going out of his way to release a specific apology and deeper thoughts about the issue on his personal Twitter account on Friday night.

“My words and demeanor on Wednesday did not show how seriously I take relationship violence,” Urban Meyer said in his post. “I sincerely apologize. I was taught at a very young age that if I ever hit a woman, I would be kicked out of the house and never welcomed back. I have the same rule in my house and in the football program at Ohio State. Over the years, we have worked hard to educate and remind our coaches and players of the seriousness of relationship violence. I understand my lack of more action in this situation has raised concerns about this commitment. 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. I fully intend to use my voice more effectively to be a part of the solution.

“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.”

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