Former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo files lawsuit after Urban Meyer incident
Former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo, who alleged he was kicked by former head coach Urban Meyer last season, has filed a lawsuit against the team, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He is seeking his $3.5 million salary for 2021 plus damages which include emotional distress.
Josh Lambo says his performance suffered after he was kicked and verbally abused by Urban Meyer, leading to his release on Oct. 19 in the middle of the season.
The lawsuit was filed in Duval County on Tuesday, alleging a hostile work environment. It claims that his release after reporting the incident to the Jaguars’ legal council violates Florida’s Private Sector Whistle Blower Act.
According to previous reports on the incident which led to the lawsuit, Meyer approached Lambo during pregame warmups in the preseason and kicked him in the leg. He also allegedly said, “Hey Dips–t, make your f–king kicks!”
Lambo also says he stood up to his coach before hearing, “I’m the head ball coach, I’ll kick you whenever the f–k I want.” He later said that Meyer threatened to release him the next day.
Josh Lambo’s lawsuit states that he communicated with the organization via his agent the next day, reporting the incident. Despite that, Lambo later said via the Tampa Bay Times that he had ““no recollection of being able to speak with the Jags’ legal team.”
Jacksonville Jaguars respond to Josh Lambo
Months after the reported incident, Josh Lambo was cut by the Jaguars and became a free agent. Then, hours before the report of the incident became public, the team fired Urban Meyer for his role in that and other alleged incidents with players and staff members.
“Jaguars legal counsel indeed acknowledged and responded immediately to the query made by Josh Lambo’s agent Friday, Aug. 27, 2021,” the Jaguars said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times. “Counsel offered to speak with Josh, or to assist Josh in speaking with coaching or any other football personnel, if he was comfortable with her sharing the information. Any suggestion otherwise is blatantly false.”
Urban Meyer has denied the incident as Josh Lambo reported it, sharing his side of the story before he was fired.
“Josh’s characterization of me and this incident is completely inaccurate, and there are eyewitnesses to refute his account,” Meyer said. “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.”