Josh Lambo reportedly sues Jacksonville Jaguars for more than $3.5 million, alleges Urban Meyer created hostile work environment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo filed a lawsuit against the team on Tuesday, alleging that former head coach Urban Meyer created a hostile work environment, and he is seeking more than $3.5 million in lost salary and additional damages, the Tampa Bay Times is reporting.

The lawsuit in the 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County alleges that Lambo’s performance suffered after he was verbally and physically abused by Meyer. It also claims that Meyer threatened to release Lambo after Lambo spoke up in his defense and that an employer striking an employee and threatening to do so again in retaliation is illegal in Florida.

When contacted, the Jaguars referred to a statement they released in December shortly after Lambo’s allegations became public: “Jaguars legal counsel indeed acknowledged and responded immediately to the query made by Josh Lambo’s agent Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. 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.”

Lambo alleged in a Dec. 15 Tampa Bay Times story that Meyer kicked him in the leg while he was stretching in warm-ups before a practice during the week of the final preseason game. Lambo said Meyer told him, “Hey Dips—, make your f—ing kicks!” and then kicked him in the leg. Lambo characterized the kick as a five out of 10 and then told the newspaper he told Meyer: “Don’t you ever f—ing kick me again!” Lambo said Meyer told him, “I’m the head ball coach. I’ll kick you whenever the f— I want.”

The lawsuit alleges Lambo told his agent, Richard Irvin, about the incident and Irvin notified the Jaguars’ legal counsel the following day.

Lambo had missed two kicks in the preseason before the incident but made both of his field goal attempts in the final preseason game against Dallas. Lambo missed all three of his field goal attempts in the first two…