Mitch PerryFlorida State University “student-athlete” Jameis Winston surprised absolutely no one yesterday when he declared he’ll be leaving FSU early to enter the NFL draft this spring. His declaration came on the same day that a woman who accused the star quarterback of raping her in 2012 filed a federal lawsuit against Florida State on Wednesday, alleging that the school violated her rights under Title IX.
That’s a new headache for the university. Winston was not charged in the case, and after a two-day school hearing last month, former Florida Supreme Court Justice Major Harding did not find Winston responsible of any violations of the student conduct code.
So it appears he’s in the clear, and can now try to impress NFL general managers that he’s not as bad a guy as his public image portends.
However he may have some more explaining to do it seems, now that this lawsuit alleges that a second woman came forward in the fall of 20113. That allegation was conveyed to accuser by her university-provided victim’s advocate, according to the suit.
As reported by Foxsports.com:
“On October 25, 2013,” the woman’s lawyers wrote, “plaintiff’s victim advocate informed her that a second woman had come forward and reported being raped by Winston. The advocate asked if plaintiff would cooperate with and participate in disciplinary proceedings against Winston. Plaintiff stated that she absolutely would do so.”
The lawsuit provides no other details of the second woman’s allegation. She did not file a police report, and a criminal investigation of that incident was not conducted. Documents previously obtained by FOX Sports show that the woman’s victim advocate made the following entry in her records: “This worker let the student know that another victim came forward.”
So yeah, Winston’s gonna have a lot to answer about. Or is he?
Forgive me for being a bit skeptical here, but while NFL scouts historically have screwed up who they think is and isn’t going to be a great QB prospect (Do you remember Ryan Leaf or JaMarcus Russell? How about Joe Montana going in the 3rd round in 1979, or Tom Brady in the 6th round in 2000?), what a player’s character or “make-up” is has never presented nearly as much consternation.
Or do you forget that earlier this year some draftniks were predicting that Winston’s stock had dropped because of all of his off-field issues? Those issues haven’t gone away. But neither have his considerable talent on the field.
Back in September, Mel Kiper Jr. dropped Winston down to being the 25th selection of the 2015 draft.
But now? Kiper has dropped Winston all the way from number one to…..number two.
So please, spare me how much character matters to these NFL General Managers…
In other news..
Pam Iorio is back living and working full-time in Tampa, and she’s bringing her national nonprofit that she runs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, with her.
David Jolly is strongly supportive of a GOP plan to cut the funding for the portion of Homeland Security funding that deals with President Obama’s actions to shield 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation.
You may never have heard of The Respect for Marriage Act, but same-sex marriage advocates say it’s necessary to pass through Congress to ensure that the Defense of Marriage Act is no longer operable. Bill Nelson announced yesterday he’ll be a co-sponsor.
And the Hillsborough County Commission is spending $100,000 to lure Tim Burton to film his next motion picture in Tampa (along as Pinellas County Commission does so as well).
