Zach Smith, Ohio State players, Urban Meyer’s daughter respond to latest Brett McMurphy report

In a series of events that’s become common with each report since the summer about Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and his handling of incidents with former assistant Zach Smith, family members and players have come to his defense.

The latest report came from Brett McMurphy at Watch Stadium and detailed an incident that allegedly happened in September 2017, and it was between Trevon Grimes, who has since transferred to Florida, and Smith and something that Meyer helped keep quiet. Ohio State officials and Zach Smith denied the allegations McMurphy reported.

Meyer’s daughter, Gigi, tweeted to McMurphy and said, “you are a joke,” while Buckeye players added that the alleged incident either didn’t happen, or McMurphy lied in the report. Smith tweeted that he’s spoken with several lawyers, and he said he needs to know how what McMurphy is doing is not illegal.

“Publishing complete lies at my expense … but because I’m a ‘public figure it’s ok? What is wrong with this world…”

McMurphy reported that Grimes’ father believes that Meyer was aware of a racially-charged altercation between his son and Smith.

Grimes abruptly left Ohio State last fall, transferred to Florida in January and was ruled eligible to play six months later without sitting out a season. Getting to the truth proved difficult, McMurphy reported, amid allegations of racism, fraud and conspiracy involving parties with sordid pasts.

After talking with several lawyers… I honestly need to know how what @Brett_McMurphy is doing is not illegal. Publishing complete lies at my expense… but because I’m a “public figure” it’s ok? What is wrong with this world…

— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) November 13, 2018

@Brett_McMurphy you are a joke.

— Gigi Meyer Pruett (@gigimeyerfit) November 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/Austin_Mack10/status/1062367368268185601

I witness the whole altercation and this didn’t happen.. You think a group of African American young men will sit there and let something like this happen? Say what you want but this isn’t true at all. https://t.co/FrteEDIa9H

— Johnnie L. Dixon III (@YoungKing_JD5) November 13, 2018

There’s no way that anyone would believe this. NO WAY. This lie is just out of hand. I was present during the entire altercation and what’s said in this article NEVER HAPPENED. I can guarantee it. Crazy how social media gives people platforms just to spread nonsense. https://t.co/FRBLucb9WY

— Parris Campbell (@PCampbell21) November 13, 2018

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.