Video Of David Cornwell Address
April 11th, 2015
Yes, the Interwebs went wild yesterday when Jameis Winston’s lawyer, David Cornwell, mentioned his client, while ready to play in the NFL, may not be mature enough to deal with the NFL lifestyle.
He also added that most young men are not.
Naturally, people from all walks of life went bananas, certain this was a revelation to the Bucs and the NFL, and all but dooming the Bucs (or another team).
So, here is the video of Cornwell’s question-and-answer session, courtesy of Villanova University. It includes scathing words for the woman who claimed Winston got too handsy with her one night, and her legal counsel.
“I doubt that Jameis is the first NCAA athlete to get a free meal,” Cornwell said. “And I doubt he is the first NCAA athlete to demonstrate that he is immature and a knucklehead. Jameis is ready to be an NFL quarterback on the field. But he is not ready to be an NFL player off the field. I spoke to Mike Mayock a couple of weeks ago and Mike said, ‘He just strikes me as so immature.’ My response was, ‘Why is that news? Why is that news?’
“One thing we have to do is pull back the veil and admit the truth: With the growth of sports as an industry in America, we have gotten to the point where there is an inverse relationship between athletic skills and life skills. Because as soon as we see someone has some prowess, even at the youth level, we tend to focus on their athletic development and apologize for their development as people.
“Consequently by definition, if they are good enough to play in the pros, then it is likely — again, a generalization — it is likely that the delta between athletic and life skills is the greatest among these individuals.”
After the symposium, Cornwell clarified his comments to Zach Berman of Philly.com.
“I don’t think Jameis is unique,” Cornwell said in an interview after the symposium. “Frankly, while there’s different degrees of readiness, I think the vast majority of all the young men being drafted into the league are not ready for the NFL life, which is why we have the resources with the NFL rookie symposium, the player engagement, and advisers like us, family, to be around this young man.
” . . . Let’s pull back the veil and stop pretending – sensational headlines notwithstanding – today, he’s got ground to cover to be ready for this world. . . . It’s not going to happen overnight. He’ll learn.”
Look, was Cornwell talking in generalities, of course he was — he admitted on video he was — and later said Winston will learn.
Cornwell then took to Twitter stating this should not be an issue for Winston as the NFL has structure.
Jdubb is not unique. Issue of readiness is why we have #nfl rookie symposium n the resources of #nfl player engagement. Jdubb will b fine.
— David Cornwell (@wmdavidcornwell) April 10, 2015
Sorry, Joe doesn’t think this is the NFL’s version of the Pentagon Papers. Cornwell’s words were not taken out of context. If it is true that the Bucs launched the most comprehensive investigation in NFL history on Winston, then none of this should come as a surprise.
Remember, it is the Silly Season in the final days before the draft. There is way too much down time. First, we had Mike Mayock demoting Winston in his rankings while admitting in the same breath he believes the Bucs will pick him. Then we had the Yahoo! Sports suggestion that Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, a co-owner of the Bucs, has reservations about Winston. Now, Cornwell confesses Winston, 21, is immature like many athletes.
This is a shock? Really?
What Joe found equally if not more interesting in the video is Cornwell destroying BSPN, the New York Times and others for what he deemed as grossly biased coverage of the legal investigation into false charges against Winston, and the aftermath.
Less than three weeks to go until the draft.
April 11th, 2015 at 12:18 am
The haters are about to have a field day with this..
April 11th, 2015 at 12:20 am
Yet another reason to start Glennon out the gate. Should humble Winston a little to have to sit for a few games and learn, cause lets face it you know he thinks he’s good enough to start day one. Make him earn the starting Job, that should get him to focus more on football instead of childish crap. Heck I say make him sit a whole year but that’s definitely not going to happen. but I still would like to see him sit for a while, maybe even till mid season.
April 11th, 2015 at 12:31 am
One of my greatest concerns re: Jameis Winston is: How will he handle adversity? My fears were not allayed on Gruden’s QB Camp tonight. While his performance was in so many ways … exemplary, I couldn’t help but notice how pissed he seemed when Gruden asked him about his interceptions. Even Jon noticed and commented on it. Any comments?
tickrdr
April 11th, 2015 at 12:36 am
So his lawyer says that the worse people are at life, the better they are as football players. So since I want the bucs to draft the best football player, they must draft Winston.
April 11th, 2015 at 12:40 am
so after both QB camps and being able to compare, it’s not hard to see the leadership advantage Jameis has. Love his passion and his pre-game in the tunnel firing everyone up. The choice should be crystal clear for the Bucs
April 11th, 2015 at 12:42 am
This is what really bothers me. I am totally ready to ride the JW train should he be our QB. And while I agree he his guilty of Nothing legally, minimizing the accusation into a Zach Mettenberger type of situation is irresponsible on a biased level imo.
“Too Handsy?” C’mon now
April 11th, 2015 at 12:46 am
@tickrdr,
i guess it’s all perspective and how you choose to look at things. I happened to love the fact that he got pissed off about the INT’s. I want my Qb to be pissed when he makes a mistake. If you also notice, he refused to blame his receivers, or make any excuses. He wouldn’t even blame Green for the dropped pass in the end zone.
April 11th, 2015 at 12:48 am
@ UF Alum
It’s his lawyer. His job to minimize any kind of wrongdoing by Winston lol.
April 11th, 2015 at 12:52 am
Actually my fault, thought those were his lawyers words but it looks like its Joe’s words. Just goes to show you that Joe would make a good lawyer for Winston with how much he defends him.
April 11th, 2015 at 1:03 am
The Buc’s will draft Winston. They will start him early in the season. By the end of the season 90% of TB fans will say they did not want him as 1st pick. He may have some success by 3rd or 4th season and be shipped to another team for a 4/5th rd pick. Tampa in the meantime will continue to linger in the bottom 3rd of the league.
We will have many bad choices to come all with top ten picks.
April 11th, 2015 at 1:05 am
Joe- you had the same basic takeaway as I did… the maturity stuff is no surprise to anyone paying attention. But Cornwell blasting those outlets by name was telling – and gratifying. He also said sports journalism is dead.
April 11th, 2015 at 1:08 am
“First, we had Mike Mayock demoting Winston in his rankings while admitting in the same breath he believes the Bucs will pick him”
How is this an example of “Silly Season,” exactly? It’s one analyst looking at a player and a pick from multiple perspectives. Which is more than I can say for the completely one-sided coverage of Winston on this site…
April 11th, 2015 at 1:13 am
@Hawaiian
I, too, thought it was quite noble that he didn’t throw his receiver under the bus. I also agree that the QB SHOULD be pissed after throwing interceptions. Still, I sensed an attitude of anger that he was beyond reproach, and not exactly angry with HIMSELF. Well, we certainly shall see, won’t we?
tickrdr
April 11th, 2015 at 2:06 am
His lawyer is just tired of him getting in trouble . Basically . I’m a Winston fan but it seems like his lawyer threw him under the bus . He shouldn’t of even been able too come out and speak. I would fire him.
April 11th, 2015 at 2:28 am
No one cares now. No one ever will.
Next?
April 11th, 2015 at 3:55 am
I don’t care what the “experts” and Joe thinks. Bucs are drafting Marcus. Can’t wait!
April 11th, 2015 at 4:09 am
Ok, I don’t know about you guys, but I think it is time for the draft….already. I’m ready to stop thinking, rethinking, underthinking, overthinking, bickering etc. I would love for Tampa Bay to choose a QB and at least one if not two prime olinemen. Also, I hope Lovie wont tank next year because he seems to love all this media attention a little too much.
April 11th, 2015 at 6:13 am
Matt – I agree with you about the Lawyer. Winston has worked pretty hard these last few months to repair his reputation, seems to have handled the media spot light, the owners interviews, coaches meetings, etc …. Then his bone headed Lawyer publicly opens his mouth and causes more damage. The Laywer is an idiot! Even if his statement was taken a bit out of context, his words were poorly chosen and sets Winstons efforts back.
April 11th, 2015 at 6:18 am
#5
April 11th, 2015 at 6:21 am
Winston doesn’t seem to handle adversity well at all. The Bucs will have more than their share.
“They didn’t beat us. We beat us!”
“Calm they f*** down or I’ll bench you”
It’s easy to lead when you’re still in it.
April 11th, 2015 at 6:35 am
Interesting on how Gruden keyed on Jamis primarily throwing picks when he was forcing the ball to Green. i think that’s interesting in a few ways. James has a lot of trust in Green and forced the ball there when in trouble. The prior year Winston prpbably did the sane thing with Benjamin but Green is much shorter so was not as able to fight for the Bal as well. Also shows a lack of confidence in the younger receivers who kept dropping the ball. Was Winston pissed when Gruden was laughing at him? Maybe. There was clearly something going through his mind. He might have been mad, or embarrassed or maybe he wanted to protect his boy Green and wanting Gruden to stop saying don’t throw the ball to Him. Who knows what was in his head.
April 11th, 2015 at 7:00 am
Even his own People don’t trust him #UnderLockAndKey and he even said it. #BackPedaling
Winston’s is of extremely bad character. Just ask his won people.
#DP #HGH #PEDs #BrainDeadRetard
April 11th, 2015 at 7:18 am
Dreambig- agree that seemed to make home squirm but not in a way where he deflected. That would have been way worse and he was clearly prepared for the question but Gruden still irritated him. Winston handled it like a pro like the rest of the camp.
Should be interesting how this QB class turns out. If the Bucs were not the worst team in all of football and had the opportunity at a Petty or Hundley I wouldn’t be too upset. Really like this QB class.
April 11th, 2015 at 7:24 am
Barry- his own people are probably used to talking straight with humans about him. Nothing in what the lawyer said was particularly true about Winston that isn’t also true about any other draft pick. You and others are just looking for an opening to tear this guy up. Not going to work.
April 11th, 2015 at 7:50 am
@Tickrdr
” I couldn’t help but notice how pissed he seemed when Gruden asked him about his interceptions. ”
It wasn’t that he was ticked about being asked about the interceptions, i was that Gruden was trying to bait him into blaming his WR. Jameis wan’t falling for it..
April 11th, 2015 at 8:01 am
JMan Says
“Its easy to lead when you’re still in it”
If you watched the whole game you would have seen Winston putting his arm around Cook after his second fumble, or you would have seen him trying keep his OL up beat when they were down by 30. Don’t get to worked up about a star QB and a coach getting a little heated in a football game.
April 11th, 2015 at 8:18 am
Immaturity is one thing….bad character is another….I think Winston is simply immature and eventually will mature. I’m now OK with the Bucs making him the choice…..I still prefer Mariota….but OK with Winston.
April 11th, 2015 at 8:50 am
His lawyer is suppose to be on Winston side and no unfavorable comments should have come out of his mouth. I agree he should be fired but that would just cause more headlines. The best thing Winston can do his tell his lawyer to stop talking about him and fire him after the draft. What has Winston done since last September off the field to say he hasn’t learned from his pass. Nothing!!!
April 11th, 2015 at 8:51 am
Brain development does not end until age 24. Holding petty theft and the public use of obscenities as a reason to ignore his talents is ridiculous. It’s not like he axe murdered his family.
April 11th, 2015 at 8:54 am
Winston’s talent is obvious. His maturity is in question which is understandable given the evidence of some immature decisions he made in College.
Like Jameis said – the only way he can earn trust is through his actions. The good news is that for the better part of a year – he has not done anything immature or of concern to anyone.
The Bucs are sold on him and believe he has what it takes – both on and off the field – to be our new franchise QB. For better or for worse – (just like a marriage) Winston is the pick.
It’s time for all Bucs fans to set aside their “concerns” and embrace this young man. He is going to lead the Buccaneers to win a lot of games and his personality/leadership qualities is exactly what this team needs.
April 11th, 2015 at 8:54 am
Cornwell simply stated what I have been saying all along. Our society is set up to put athletes/celebrities(again think Justin Bieber) on such high pedestals long before they’ve had a chance to mature and adjust to this adulation.
This is why I have debated all the co dependent people who constantly defend Fameis every mistake and try to minimize it as if it was a conspiracy of the “librul media” out to get poor Fameis.
Cornwell is EXACTLY right. Fameis has behaved like a knucklehead. It’s understandable but still needs to be corrected. Those here who wish to act as if the “character issues” being raised were not the result of Fameis actual behavior are actually doing Fameis far more harm than good.
Fameis acted like a knucklehead, society is complicit in screwing up his head, let’s hope he can get his head straightened out.
And again I hope Fameis grows up as much for his own sake as that of the Bucs. It’s hard when the entire world keeps telling you you’re sh!t doesn’t stink. Pretty soon you begin to believe them especially if you’re an impressionable young teen.
April 11th, 2015 at 9:20 am
St Pete – Even if everything you just said was true, and most of it is, would you expect his lawyer to through fuel on the fire with his public comments? For no reason even, Winston hasn’t even recently done anything stupid. Why make those comments now? I am sure the Winston camp is none to happy with him at the moment.
April 11th, 2015 at 10:49 am
@Dreambig
I agree 100% with you! Cornwell would be my ex attorney.
The ONLY person who seems to know how to handle the situation is DB55.
Simply acknowledge mistakes were made, say lessons were learned if asked otherwise stay invisible.
April 11th, 2015 at 11:48 am
This is the soft bigotry of low expectations. None of the good ones are ready for life off the field he says. If true, that’s a pretty sorry state of affairs for NCAA sports at accredited colleges/universities.
April 11th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Immature off the field lol that’s great you’re saying a 20yr old kid has to mature…. He’s 100 times the quarterback Glennon is without having taken an nfl snap. Off field maturity is irrelevant on game day. Maturity always develops but elite quarterbacks skills don’t (Glennon)
April 11th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
When you play a position like QB or a pitcher in baseball it tells you something about a persons personality or it should. It says this person wants to be the Man. It’s reasonable to believe that this transfers over into their personal life. As a kid you act like a clown to get attention, make people laugh and prove you are the center of attention. As a man that has earned his position as the leader of an NFL team he should realize he is the Man in whatever room he enters. No longer a need to act like a clown or try to be one of the guys. He is the guy from now on. I think he will get that pretty quickly and along with all the mistakes he has made I think we will see him grow very quickly. I am excited to see what he will do on the field.
April 11th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
@JBuc
I don’t think it’s so much that he clowns more than the guys or needs to center of attention. It’s that when he does it, it’s news. He and his other teammates could have been taking turns singing stupid meems going down the stairs at the student union but when Jameis did it someone tweeted about it. Jameis said now he realizes he can’t be one of the guys. This is what he was talking about.
I agree with Matt and Dreambig. It was total irresponsible of that lawyer to say this comment at this time. I don’t think it will effect anything but it was just so unnecessary.
April 11th, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Not sure that his lawyer isn’t just stating the obvious. The idea of signing a multimillion $$$ contract at the age of 21 would blow my mind. Most kids of that age, not just spoiled college athletes, are complete “knuckleheads” and should not be trusted to drive a school bus much less be the face of an organization. However, this is irony of pro sports. It’s a young mans game but requires the maturity of an old soul.
By the way, just because Mariota is quiet and considered to be a good citizen does not mean he is ready for it either. He strikes me as someone that may be intimidated by the limelight.
April 12th, 2015 at 3:44 am
Jameis, you need to fire your attorney for using you to forward himself. This guy is a joke, he has to get his name out there as a attorney. Wtf?