Urban Meyer’s wife, Shelley Mather Meyer, has been a huge supporter of the Utah Utes. Back in the early 2000s, when Meyer was the former head coach of the program, she had been a constant ally of both Meyer and the roster. As the tale goes, she would bake cookies for the players to keep their spirits high. After 20 years, she is still cheering for her team. On Saturday, Meyer, who is on the panel of ESPN’s Big Noon Kickoff, shared a wholesome moment with his wife at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

“Urban Meyer spotted his wife, Shelley, in the Utah student section,” Fox College Football captured the sweet moment between the duo. Meyer spotted an enthusiastic Shelley standing in the Utah Student section. She was hooting for the Utes, making “U Hands,” cheering for the players as the game unfolded. Meyer approached, and they did a wholesome high-five, as fiery cheers erupted from behind. Meyer then went back to his analyst duties, but the fans kept on asking for more. True to her actions, she is widely known as the first lady of college football.

The duo tied the knot in 1986 after dating for five years. They have three children. Nikki (1990), Gigi (1993), and Nate (1998). Shelley has always been a sweetheart. Charities and others are where she spends her time and energy. To help others, she started the Shelley Meyer Cancer Fund. Being a nurse herself, who taught nursing at the University of North Florida and Ohio State University, she found her calling in giving back to the community. “Thank you all for including me in all the different events around town, the charities, and for supporting our kids,” Shelley said per ABC6 On Your Side.com. She further attended the Buckeyes Cruise for Cancer (when Meyer was a part of the OSU Buckeyes).

All these years, she has stood by her husband through his ups and downs. Meyer had been suffering from an arachnoid cyst that caused him severe headaches. Back in 2014, he underwent an injury to relieve some of the symptoms, but he couldn’t get complete respite. In 2018, he dropped to his knees at the sidelines. An emotional Shelley swelled up, “I just want to see him happy and feeling good,” she said per ABC6 On Your Side. Soon after, Meyer retired as a coach. Although the legend cherished multiple memories over his coaching career, one troublesome episode from his time at the Utah Utes is still fresh in his memory.

Utah Utes, Shelley Meyer, and the Illegal cookies

Urban Meyer and Shelley are well-cherished personas in Salt Lake City. Back in early 2003, when Meyer presided as the head coach at the Utes, his wife Shelley’s wholesome episode kept the roster’s spirit high. But also landed her in trouble with the authorities. “I was the head coach at Utah, and Shelley would always get the player of the game; she would make cookies for them,” Meyer recalled that episode on The Triple Option podcast.

Utes tailback Brandon Warfield, who had just won the Player of the Week in the Mountain West Conference, received freshly baked cookies from her. A sweet gesture to keep the players striving for more. However, little did she realize that would earn her a disapproving nod from the officials.

“I got a letter,” Meyer continued. “The letter said that you’ve committed a violation and you’re going to be reprimanded by your husband. I kid you not.” The NCAA’s hammer struck so far and wide that even the first lady of college football could not escape. Back then, the NCAA had certain rules that prohibited players from taking anything from the coaching staff aside from limited allowances.