Jamies Winston admits to NCAA violations, puts FSU in harms’ way
Even though Jameis Winston is no longer on the Florida State football team after opting to be an early NFL Draft entry in this year’s selection, the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner is still causing trouble for the Seminoles program.
During an interview with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh aired on ESPN, Winston tried to explain away his 2014 shoplifting charge at a local Tallahassee grocery store as an understanding he had with one of the store’s employees. Winston stated the employee at the store said, “Anytime you come in here, I got you.”
Winston was caught walking out of the grocery store with $32 worth of crab legs. The potential first round draft pick also admitted that the same employee gave him a birthday cake to give to a friend, for free.
What Winston seemingly cannot understand is the “free” food is costing someone something. Unless the owner of the store or the manager of the store has expressly stated that this is okay this is still stealing. What authority does an employee have on giving away store merchandise?
The other side to that coin is a NCAA violation. To remain athletically eligible NCAA regulations prohibit an athlete from “receiving any benefit that is not available to other students at the University.”
Under the Illegal Benefits section of the NCAA regulations bylaws adds to this subject further outlining the violations stating, “Receive material benefits that are not available to the general student body.”
Either Winston stole the crab legs in conjunction with the employee or he was receiving improper benefits, a NCAA violation.
FSU athletic director Stan Wilcox released a statement regarding Winston’s admission to breaking NCAA rules reading, “As is the case with all matters of this type, we will work in partnership with the NCAA to determine whether a violation occurred.”
FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher, always the staunch supporter of Winston, commented on the admission during an ACC coaches’ teleconference stating, “If he says it is (true), I guess it is.” Fisher, always seemingly playing the naïve role in Winston’s corner was quick to add this was “totally an isolated incident.” A statement in no way he could no is true. If he knew of the crab legs and birthday cake as isolated incidents and did not report the truth then Fisher allowed Winston to continue playing despite knowing he had broken NCAA rules without reporting the violations making him culpable.
Winston was suspended by the FSU baseball team for three games last spring as a reprimand for the shoplifting incident. Winston, being a relief pitcher, was not necessarily left out of any games for breaking the law.
On the football field FSU did not suspend Winston for his actions. The Alabama native led the Seminoles through the regular season and ACC Championship Game undefeated before losing in the semifinal round of the first ever FBS Playoffs to Oregon 59-20.
Winston has another legal matter hanging over head as he enters the 2015 NFL Draft. A civil lawsuit has been filed against him from a December 2012 incident. The victim claims Winston sexually assaulted her and accuses him of rape, false imprisonment, and emotional distress. The victim claims the sex was non-consensual.
The plaintiff in the case has also filed a suit against FSU trustees over the alleged Winston assault seeking unspecified damages including reimbursement for tuition, damages for suffering, emotional pain, and loss of past and present earning and earning capacity.
A court date in the civil suit has not been set.
The 2015 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 30 running through May 2 in Chicago. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to pick Winston with the No. 1 overall selection.
Written by Ryan Wright
Photo credit: withthefirstpick.com; No. 5 Jameis Winston.