NFL suspends Bucs QB Jameis Winston for 3 games
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has been suspended for the first three games of the 2018 regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Winston’s suspension will be without pay, and he will not appeal the decision.
The NFL wrapped up its investigation and found that Winston inappropriately touched a female Uber driver in March 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Winston said in a statement released on Facebook that the NFL informed him of its decision on Thursday.
The former Florida State star said that “in the past 2½ years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn.”
The quarterback added that he has eliminated alcohol from his life.
Winston also apologized to the Uber driver in question.
“First and foremost, I would like to say I’m sorry to the Uber driver for the position I put you in. It is uncharacteristic of me and I genuinely apologize,” he wrote.
The NFL also released a statement.
“Disciplinary action was necessary and appropriate,” the league read.
Of note, even though Winston claimed that his actions were “uncharacteristic,” the NFL seemed beyond fed up with his antics, which stem back to college. The league reportedly floated the possibility of a “ban from the NFL.”
One of the key statements in the NFL’s announcement on Jameis Winston’s three-game suspension: “A future violation of the Personal Conduct Policy will result in more substantial discipline, including a potential ban from the NFL.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2018
It didn’t take long for some eyebrows to be raised when news of the three-game suspension broke.
So the NFL determined Jameis Winston sexually assaulted an Uber driver & Jameis admitted to the sexual assault in his own statement & the NFL only gave him a three game suspension for it? Yikes.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 28, 2018
It does seem like the NFL had an opportunity to make a stronger statement, particularly considering that Winston all but admitted guilt. The NFL’s punishment for Winston will undoubtedly raise the specter of Ray Rice for fans. Goodell came under intense fire and scrutiny when he originally levied a paltry two-game suspension against Rice, who was seen on video punching and knocking out his fiancee.
Winston, the first pick in the 2015 draft, has started 45 of the Bucs’ past 48 games. He missed three games last season with a shoulder injury.
He will miss the Bucs’ games against New Orleans, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and will return Sept. 30 for a game at Chicago.
For Tampa Bay, Winston couldn’t miss a tougher slate of games. All three teams the Bucs will face in Winston’s absence were playoff teams last season.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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