Jameis Winston is the best player in college football this year – hands down. If we had a Heisman Trophy ballot, he’d be at the top of it.
The 6-foot-4, 228-pound redshirt freshman from Bessemer, Alabama (home of former Heisman winner Bo Jackson) has been a force of nature this season – leading the No. 2 Florida State Seminoles to a 10-0 record. In fact there’s a case to be made FSU is the best team in the nation this year – something they are on track to prove if they can win their next three games against Idaho, Florida and whoever emerges from the ACC Coastal Division.
Winston’s statistics are gaudy. He has thrown for 2,938 yards and 28 touchdowns against only seven interceptions – completing 71 percent of his passes in the process. His numbers would no doubt be much higher if the Seminoles weren’t blowing opponents out of the stadium each week, too (Winston only played two quarters against Syracuse last week, for example).
But beyond stats, Winston has demonstrated tremendous maturity on the field – leading his team to big wins on the road against No. 3 Clemson and at home against No. 7 Miami.
Of course there’s a problem …
A little over a week ago, news broke that Winston was at the heart of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault said to have taken place on December 7, 2012.
Winston and the unnamed woman alleging the assault definitely had sex. An analysis conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed Winston’s DNA matched that of a sample taken from the woman’s underwear, and Winston’s attorney has said the quarterback and the alleged victim “absolutely” had consensual sex.
The case against Winston was classified as “open” until February 2013, but that’s when the victim – an FSU student – stopped cooperating with authorities.
“Shortly thereafter a representative of the young woman’s family who is an attorney contacted (Tallahassee Police Department) and said the young woman had changed her mind and did not wish to prosecute,” reads an email obtained by The Tallahassee Democrat.
This week, The Tampa Bay Tribune revealed one reason why that may have been the case – publishing a statement from the family of the alleged victim that put cops in Tallahassee on the defensive.
“When the (alleged victim’s) attorney contacted Detective (Scott) Angulo immediately after Winston was identified, Detective Angulo told the attorney that Tallahassee was a big football town and the victim needs to think long and hard before proceeding against him because she will be raked over the coals and her life will be made miserable,” the statement reads.
Wow … the statement goes on to say police botched the case from the beginning, failing to collect evidence or interview Winston’s roommate, who is said to have witnessed the attack.
Of course police did obtain a rape kit from the alleged victim after she reported the assault – and obviously enough evidence was collected for police to match Winston’s DNA to the woman.
Look, Winston is innocent until proven guilty. In fact we’re not even to that point yet because the 19-year-old hasn’t been charged with a crime. Who will make that decision? William Meggs – the state attorney for Florida’s second judicial circuit.
We’ll withhold judgment until we what Meggs decides to do … and what evidence was involved in his decision.
17 comments
Story posted on fitsnews for over an hour and not one comment. Do believe a new record has been set
Whether or not the young lady was a victim of a criminal act back in December is an issue to be decided by the appropriate authorities
Unfortunately she is already a victim of the media and to that end I wish her and her family the strength to see this issue through to its rightful conclusion
Agreed, sir. Mr. Winston is either an animal or a victim also. If he is an animal, I hope he pays for it. If he is a victim, I hope she pays for it. Either way, it should not be tried in the press. Either way, it looks like the cop blew it.
I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E !!!
Free Shoes University is now known as Forced Sex University.
Zat you, HBC?
It all depends on the delivery, but the cop absolutely should have addressed the publicity that would likely surround the case. The police and prosecutors would be exposing themselves to a lot of attention and criticism if they charge someone prominent, and they need to know whether the victim can handle that circus. Now whether what this cop said was communicated out of and in a tone of concern or whether it was said in an threatening manner or with the purpose of intimidating her is the key. I could see the latter being done to the complainant, but I have a hard time believing the cop was dumb enough to try to intimidate a criminal defense lawyer.
Football is secondary, but I have to dispute the idea that Winston is “hands down” the best player this year. Manziel is at least as good, and I would argue he has been a good deal better than Winston. Manziel has better stats in every category other than interceptions. Now part of that is FSU has sat Winston a bit during blow outs, but that cuts both ways a bit. Manziel has thrown more interceptions this year because he has to force things to catch up or match their opponents, who routinely carve up A&M’s terrible defense. Having watched both a good bit, you could put Manziel on FSU with that defense and not miss a beat. I don’t know that you could say the same about putting Winston on A&M.
Bitches be crazy.
————-Sheldon Cooper
Not enough info….but the ever cynical TBG suspects regret sex coupled with the hope of a large payout.
Considering she went through with the rape kit and he was a relatively unknown player at the time, I tend to lean the other way.
Valid point. But he was “unknown” only on the national stage. He was highly recruited by FSU. Kinda like Clowney was pretty well known in SC before he ever played a snap. (Not as famous as Willie korn, though. *sighs*)
Very interested to see how this one plays out, and whether it effects Heisman voters
Dude is toast! Any time a woman screams, LE wants to lock someone up and it ain’t the woman!! Remember the Duke Lacrosse team??
I thought he was gay.
The whole thing is bogus. Watch and listen to one of his interviews and imagine “Aunt Esther” on Sanford and Son slinging her purse at Fred. Gaydar going bingbingbing!!!! This is some kind of cooked up conspiracy to make him seem straight and avoid major embarrassment for FSU if he is outed. Just trying to give him some “skreet cred”.
TBG’s current squeeze, Lennay Kekua says that Manti Te’o is gay also.
Coming soon : The GFL!! They’ll get to wear hot pink ALL SEASON LONG.
As much as I detest this cocky Cam Newton clone for what he did to Clemson, (and laughing all the way), this one is a no brainer – he presumption of innocence applies, until he is convicted. Should not effect his playing time or his Heisman eligibility. FSU should remember the lessons from the Duke lacross team debacle and let the criminal justice system, such as it is in Florida, work.