Jameis Winston forcing Tampa Bay Buccaneers to consider quarterback's future

Jay Asser 18:59 29/06/2018
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  • Jameis Winston will serve a three-game suspension at the start of next season.

    The NFL has always been a results-driven league in which players receive opportunities based on what they can do on the field, regardless of what happens off of it.

    Jameis Winston, however, could be reaching the point where he’s more trouble than he’s worth to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the quarterback was handed a three-game suspension for his alleged groping of a female Uber driver in 2016.

    The allegation is the latest in a string of controversies for Winston, dating back to his days in college at Florida State, where he was investigated for sexually assaulting a female student, involved in a shoplifting incident and witnessed shouting vulgar comments in public.

    Though the alleged groping of the female Uber driver is Winston’s first offence since joining the Buccaneers in 2015, it only adds to the question marks surrounding his character.

    Winston released a statement in which he apologised for his actions, but didn’t admit guilt or appear to take full responsibility.

    “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 apologise,” Winston said.

    “In the past 2 1/2 years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn, including the fact that I have eliminated alcohol from my life.

    “I know I have to hold myself to a higher standard on and off the field… I apologise to my teammates, the Buccaneers organisation and fans for letting them down and for not being able to be out there for the first three games of the season.”

    Winston’s suspension hurts Tampa Bay’s outlook for next season, but even when he’s been on the field the results haven’t necessarily been there – the Buccaneers are 18-27 in the games he’s started and have yet to make the playoffs since his arrival.

    The coming season could be Winston’s final chance to prove he’s Tampa Bay’s quarterback of the future as the Buccaneers are set to pay him $20.9 million in 2019 after picking up his fifth-year option, which is only guaranteed for injury.

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