Urban Meyer has once again found himself on the defensive in the wake of a report that includes disturbing allegations against the Ohio State football program, and he is responding in familiar fashion.
LeBron Grimes, the father of former Ohio State wide receiver Trevon Grimes, told Brett McMurphy of WatchStadium that his son transferred to Florida following an altercation with former Buckeyes assistant Zach Smith, during which LeBron says Smith called his son the N-word. Ohio State confirmed that there was an “interaction” between Smith and Grimes but said there was no racist language used. Both Meyer and Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith have vehemently denied that the incident took place.
Meyer said Gene Smith and others were very aggressive in pushing back. Meyer said he and OSU players were "irate" about the accusation.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) November 13, 2018
The accusations made today by Brett McMurphy regarding our coach and the reasons for the transfer of Trevon Grimes are unequivocally false. Urban Meyer embraces diversity and would absolutely never support an environment of racism. It simply isn’t tolerated here…
MORE>>>— gene smith (@OSU_AD) November 13, 2018
CONTINUED: … And as an African-American, football player and collegiate administrator, I personally can say that our coaches, student-athletes and support staff know there is no place for any such behavior within our programs, at The Ohio State University or anywhere.
— gene smith (@OSU_AD) November 13, 2018
McMurphy’s report also outlines how Grimes was declared eligible to play immediately at Florida, which was by way of a hardship waiver because his mother, Leah, was diagnosed with an illness. Details were shared about how Meyer and some Ohio State players and staffers flew to Florida last year to meet with Grimes and his mother. LeBron said the meeting had to do with Ohio State trying to keep Trevon quiet about the incident with Smith, telling him they would allow him to transfer anywhere if he did not come forward about it. An Ohio State spokesman said Meyer flew to Florida because Trevon was struggling after his mother was diagnosed with cancer.
Both Leah and Trevon declined to comment on the visit, but McMurphy’s report went on to share some information about Leah’s troubled past. Meyer indicated he felt that was unethical of McMurphy and said legal action could be taken.
Meyer: "To see a reporter go after a player and a mother like that and list some of the things in her past, I don't quite understand what that's about."
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) November 13, 2018
Meyer said he and others from OSU flew to Fla and spent 5 hours with Grimes' mother. Meyer said he (or OSU) is looking into legal action.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) November 13, 2018
McMurphy was the same reporter who broke the story about Meyer keeping Smith on his staff despite multiple domestic violence allegations against the former Ohio State assistant. Meyer was defiant in responding to the original report but later ended up being suspended for his knowledge of the incidents.
