Report: Jameis Will Settle With Rape Accuser
December 15th, 2016
Money matters
Joe is bummed out this morning.
News broke late last night of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, agreeing to a settlement with the former Florida State University student who accused him of rape in 2012.
A civil suit is pending in Florida court and, per TMZ Sports and other outlets, a settlement was reached and both parties will ask the court to dismiss their suits soon. Jameis had filed a counterclaim.
There was never any arrest in the case, and there were all sorts of holes in the accuser’s story and a lack of evidence, among the reasons why there was no arrest and why a Florida State University disciplinary panel didn’t take action against Jameis.
Joe really hoped Jameis would take the case to court and win. Certainly, Jameis has the financial means to defend himself. Plus, winning in court could have erased a mountain of lingering doubt about his guilt or innocence.
Now society will be left to wonder why Jameis settled.
Obviously, this was a business decision by Jameis, and likely the right business decision.
Joe hopes Jameis doesn’t regret it later in life — for non-business reasons.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:01 am
I wish this would have been settled earlier. Who knows what happened but unfortunately that will be on his resume. Hopefully this won’t be a topic on football night in america.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:05 am
Jameis is smart to settle this case and move on with his life. This thing had the potential to drag out another 2 to 3 yrs. I’d be surprise though if she gets much. Our president elect has settled so man cases against him, he lost count over the years. And he won the presidency. People nowadays simply don’t care. Its all bout the Benjamins. Winston’s case will be over with and done. NEXT!!!!!!!!
December 15th, 2016 at 9:10 am
I’m almost certain that a mutual dismissal was the endgame when he countersued her
December 15th, 2016 at 9:12 am
It is the world in which we now live, that it is irrelevant as to whether or not someone is guilty or innocent. Perception rules the day, and damn the facts.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:15 am
@hawk… yep
December 15th, 2016 at 9:26 am
Settlement was the correct way to handle this. It is unrealistic to expect Jameis to fight this all the way to the end…..It would have really not served him well.
The key to Jameis’ future has always been his behavior going forward….not his past. And with that, Jameis has been a choirboy.
Its really easy to sit there and encourage another person to fight on….but if you’re in their shoes, getting it over with is more prudent….this is simply what people, especially, celebrities with money do.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:27 am
BuccaneerByBirth Says:
December 15th, 2016 at 9:10 am
I’m almost certain that a mutual dismissal was the endgame when he countersued her.
Doubt it, preseidsnce was set already when FSU paid her off as well. Joe forgot to mention that kind of important fact. Either way now it’s over.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:31 am
I wonder if he just wanted to get it out of his life while he’s gearing up for a playoff run.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:32 am
Take the case to court?
I say just nip this thing in the bud by throwing her a few bones and move the h=ll on!!!
Smart move, Jameis.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:33 am
What about his defamation case against her?
December 15th, 2016 at 9:34 am
It’s over. But sports is no longer about what happens on the field of play.
ESPN will now cover this
NBC will now cover this
SO America will not see and learn about how Jamies has this team playing for each other. They will hear about Jameis settling out of court.
Crying shame, but you all know its true
December 15th, 2016 at 9:36 am
if the president elect can settle fraud and sexual assault cases…. Jameis Christ can too
December 15th, 2016 at 9:40 am
I’m just happy this is all over. This girl tried for years to destroy him and get money. Apparently a little money was enough to make her forget about how she was (allegedly) sexually assaulted.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:41 am
“What about his defamation case against her?”
———
Dropped.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:43 am
Isn’t a settlement a bad way to title it? They both agreed to drop their cases. He’s not paying her anything. And if she weren’t lying, she would have no worry about a defamation suit that is so hard to prove anyway.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:46 am
Cleat chasing pays. Make an accusation and live like a queen.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:46 am
@Love and Warrick Dunn
They both agreed to drop their lawsuits as part of the deal.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:50 am
I agree with the move to go ahead and put it behind him and move on but just hate the timing. Next week would’ve been better.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:51 am
If I didn’t do it, no way I settle. Her story has hole after hole. He would have won. Why settle? Does he not want something to come out?
Beyond that, since Jamis has been a buc, he has been a fantastic role model and I’m happy he is my qtr back.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:54 am
It would probably cost more to fight it than to settle right now. It was a business move not an admission of guilt.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:55 am
the settling thing is just to make it go away. Its big picture stuff.
i always thought the truth was in the middle somewhere.
December 15th, 2016 at 9:59 am
Fameis J has kept his nose clean on and off the field for 2 years now. No fan has a bigger PITA fit over player character than me. I respect FJ for it, plus he’s one hellacious player. Enough said. Go Tampa Bay!!
December 15th, 2016 at 10:10 am
First of all the this would have been civil court and the burden of proof is much less than criminal court. Jameis is becoming a celebrity now for the right reasons. Absolutely no reason to druge through a highly publicized trial that could drag on for years. They are both better off moving on.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:10 am
All the national trolls that call him certain words. Say it to his face…no say it to my face! Don’t fck with my team.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:14 am
Settling was the best way to end this because the civil case would have been easier to prove because its a case that has to be only slightly better than the defendants as opposed to a criminal case…good move by jameis and his people, florida gator here and I always believed jameis and he probably had sex with the girl but it was consensual, glad its over…GO BUCS!!! GO JAMEIS
December 15th, 2016 at 10:15 am
I wanted him to fight it.
Cause I have a VERY strong feeling he’d win.
I’m now glad he got rid of her.
Move on and win Super Bowls.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:20 am
Oh and he’s going to win Super Bowls. Yup with an s on the end.
Buckle up.
Now that this is out of the way, I’m actually a hair bit more confident going into Sunday night’s game. I don’t think he wanted to settle. I don’t know the kid personally, but I think settling pissed him off. Look out Dallas.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:28 am
Thats whats absolutely disgusting to me too. How many of these same idiots, so critical of jameis when accused by a blatant liar, absolutely accepted trump and his 12 odd sexual assault claims and voted him leader of the free world..and what precedent??? Idiotic statement above….racism is alive and well!!
December 15th, 2016 at 10:30 am
Rob..question asked quest answered. Hole after hole? Hes won public opinion with anyone who isnt willfully ignorant..thats a FACT!!!
December 15th, 2016 at 10:37 am
Joe….you just lived through the last election cycle, didn’t you? Can you imagine the mud slinging and tarnishing of Jameis, regardless of the truth of it all. He has nothing to gain by going to court on this, but to save some money, and he will have plenty. When it comes to the Bucs, you are spot on in most cases. But on this one, you are totally wrong.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:43 am
Jr Says:
December 15th, 2016 at 9:43 am
Isn’t a settlement a bad way to title it? They both agreed to drop their cases. He’s not paying her anything. And if she weren’t lying, she would have no worry about a defamation suit that is so hard to prove anyway.
__________________
Where on earth did you read that he is not paying her anything?
December 15th, 2016 at 10:46 am
way to go there TVAL… america has been divided past 8 years due to divisive comments by the president, but ppl want to keep his legacy and scream racism and wear safety pins, america is greatest country in the world for all 320 million of us and GO JAMEIS AND GO BUCS
December 15th, 2016 at 10:47 am
The women coming out of the woodwork on Donald Trump just before the election tempered my previous strong feelings on this a bit. I will say this – I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle of her version and Jameis’, which is why the settlement.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:49 am
900 thou! Trailer park queen got paid in full! Bet Fameis wont mess with that cocaine anymore! It’s a shame someone can get paid like that after never going to court but hey we all know that jury of his so called peers would have awarded her much much more. In the past guys were hung just because a woman said he whistled at her. No matter how far we’ve come this is America where people can sue over anything.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:53 am
“… but I think settling pissed him off. Look out Dallas.”
I’m feeling it 87.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:56 am
I think putting this particular case behind him was the right thing to do, even if he had to pay out some money. Going forward with a trial is risky because our justice system does not always get it right.
Many innocent men plead guilty to crimes they did not commit when they’re being prosecuted for more serious crimes they are innocent of, but they wished to eliminate the possibility of being convicted for the more serious crime by a judge or jury.
The benefit of eliminating that risk is the best option, even if not ideal.
While Jameis is in a civil case the standard of evidence is less than in a criminal case. While he wouldn’t be risking serving time if the trial went forward he would be risking a bit hit to his reputation.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:58 am
Seems like lousy timing. I hope that they don’t go on and on about this Monday night.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:59 am
He countersued her. How do we know she didn’t end up giving him money in the settlement? Also, they could have just both dropped the cases in the settlement, no money exchanged. She already got 900 grand from the school.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:00 am
Everyone got rich… EK, JW and the Attorneys.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:03 am
@ lightningbuc
You got some f’d logic.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:07 am
Just read an article where a black man was jailed for 50y for a “R” that DNA now shows he didn’t commit. For his inconvenience the state gave him $7.
There’s no amount of evidence no matter how overwhelming that would lead everyone to believe JW is innocent.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:13 am
Look at all the armchair lawyers!
Lightning says it best, “The truth lies somewhere in the middle.” Lets not speculate on something that NONE of us knows about.
Turn the page and move on, it’s none of our business.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:14 am
BKNY,
Better to have some logic than none at all (like you).
December 15th, 2016 at 11:20 am
Yeah–right on Largo Buc–say it to my face too.
Don’t fok with our team! He was innocent but very stupid on that night, could of been worse for him many times over, I hope other dudes like him see the example. I am proud of Jameis, he is pure.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:24 am
Big Ben settled out of court and his career didnt suffer. I think Jameis just wants all this behind him and I dont blame him. I do how ever wish he would have seen it through. Just to shut up all the haters.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:34 am
“lightningbuc Says:
December 15th, 2016 at 10:47 am
I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle of her version and Jameis”
Just curious, did you read the entire police report with interviews from all her friends, including the hospital kit findings, and drug testing results?
It’s a few hundred pages and readily available online.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:35 am
A settlement is simply a legal instrument. It means both parties will forego any more legal action. It does not mean that either party concedes guilt or innocence in the game.
IE This was nothing more than a detail at the end of a long sad ordeal. This ends it and that is really the goal. No more distractions.
December 15th, 2016 at 11:35 am
No, but it cost him millions in endorsements.
With Jameis’ personality, he’s a natural for being a product spokesman.
Was, that is.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:07 pm
This was a good move to allow Jameis to put the college nonsense behind him so he can focus on becoming a super star QB in the NFL. The outside distractions will be gone now. Who cares what dumb arses think in regards to his guilt. Everyone with a lick of sense knows he did not rape anyone. Now let’s focus on winning more football games!
December 15th, 2016 at 12:08 pm
LovieBall, I’m with you. She was not gonna win the civil, and he didn’t want to countersue if he won, which he would’ve. The case would’ve been laughed out of court with all the various versions she’s told. I”m sure the attorney’s got together and did this. The money she was awarded by FSU with the Title Nine crap is all she’ll get. And most of that went to the lawyers. She would’ve been in debt for years losing the civil suit.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Lmao wowwwwww right b4 the biggest game of his bright career way to go love how they’re throwing a distraction bone into the teams huddle STAY FOCUSED BUCS STAY FOCUSED especially Jameis it’ll give them something to talk about for Sunday countdown to drown the fact we are on a 5 game win streak while they praise Dallas no more about Dak struggles gotta love the way this mess works….GO BUCS GO DEFENSE GO OFFENSE GO SPECIAL TEAMS
December 15th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Jameis already lost millions in endorsements. No Jameis at the heisman house, no campbells soup, no nothing except bill curry ford. Smh.
Every time I see mariota and Gurley on a commercial I smh.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
To StPeteBucsFan: Your first paragraph is correct. I’ve been involved in over 500 law suits as an expert witness over the last 20 years and only 2 cases went as far as sitting in front of a jury, ALL others settled. Typically plaintiff attorney extracts as much $$$ out of the defense as possible, weighs the costs to continue, the odds of winning vs. losing if they go any further, and then advises their client to settle.
I’ve defended many innocent clients and had the evidence in my files and ready to go to court to prove it, yet the risk and consequences of possibly losing turns out to be far too great to continue in the eyes of counsel, client and the loudest opinion of all, the insurance company that will ultimately pay the bills. The cost to go to court, regardless of guilt or innocence, will at a minimum double or triple the total costs. Like it or not, welcome to America’s legal system, that’s the way it works.
The Case has settled. No one is guilty nor are they proven innocent. Now Jameis just needs to put on a pair of those new Bose Q35 noise reduction headphones to shut out the buzz from the settlement and focus on beating the Cowboys in 3 days!
Let’s Go Bucs!
December 15th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
I wish that it would happened in the off season…because news people will look to make a big deal of the settlement. They (news people) just love dirt. Jameis has shown all Tampa that he is a class act…and we all got your back!
December 15th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
@CalBucs- BINGO! Well put!
December 15th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
If you heard Mr.Winston yelling such a complete nasty as possible remarks on the school recording you would you would realize that he is or was a very vulgar man.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:38 pm
ben, you mean a teenager acting like a teenager showing off for his college friends, ya shame on jameis for being a normal teenager college kid… look up barstool sports or old row sports if you think its not normal funny college fratlike crap
December 15th, 2016 at 12:38 pm
Well ben, if everyone who ever yelled something vulgar in the course of their lives were villains deserving jail or their lives being ruined, then I guess all of us would be in jail….except for you of course. Winston did do some very stupid things but has matured into a model citizen as well as a leader in his profession.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
ben…and if you’ve ever read 1000’s of kids typing those very same words at the time and prior to when he even said you’d realize it was a saying that was passed all around the country.
Quit whining.
Dayum if I have to I’ll stay up in this thread and defend Winston fuking day long.
Just like the old days. Yet I don’t THINK I should have to.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:42 pm
Sorry for the typo’s ben.
I’ll put my glasses back on.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:42 pm
I am also not endorsing Winston’s actions in college but we all have made mistakes and deserve second chances. Mistakes are what we learn from and how we mature. That is unless one is a sociopath or suffering from some other serious mental disorders.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Hey Ben, here’s a quote for you to consider:
“He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone.”
Reference John 8:7, spoken by Jesus.
Still sure you want to throw stones? Let it go bro, there’s a new culture in Tampa Bay, climb on board and enjoy it!
December 15th, 2016 at 12:45 pm
I love Jameis Winston.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
@ dusty
People like you make me laugh. You blame Obama for the racism or divisiveness in this country as if he started racism. No he merily pointed out that there are aspects in our judicial system that needs to be adressed. The other presidents who happen to be white didnt address the topic and turned a blind eye to police brutality ala the first george bush who had nothing to say about the cops who beat rodney king. No sir, divisiveness has always been there no matter how much you pretend it only came about the past 8 years. All the last 8 years did is validate that many did not like seeing obama a black man in the highest seat in the land and said so when he was elected by vowing to make his presidency a failure. Btw…blacks did not say that so how is he the blame for this nation’s divisiveness?
December 15th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Dhusty stfu you have no clue what people of color go through in this country.
Shouldn’t you be complaining about Jason licht right about now?
December 15th, 2016 at 1:03 pm
Oh boy. Now the Racism stuff has to come into play. IMO regardless of if you are white, black, asian, native american, middle eastern or any other race that I may have unintentionally excluded, if you have hate in your heart towards another human being just because of the way they look, then you are a complete moron. I know racism is a real issue because the world is full of morons. I am white and I like or dislike people based on their hearts, personalities and attitudes. I view us as being one race and that is the human race. I am not a racist moron. I may be a moron in some other ways but never racism.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:16 pm
This is such a non-story, AND none of our business.
Free your mind and your a$$ will follow! Lets talk Buc football, shall we?!
December 15th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Test
December 15th, 2016 at 1:18 pm
^^^^^
Sorry, I did miss Hispanics in my post above. Please forgive me Pablo. LOL 🙂
December 15th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Why are you censoring, Joe?
Entire website is “censored” since Joe, not you or anyone else, is legally responsible for every word printed here.–Joe
December 15th, 2016 at 1:22 pm
Peyton Manning also settled with his accuser in 2003.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
The court of public opinion closed long ago. Most now love #3…some will never.
So be it!
Now the actual court that counts can finally close the remainder.
CalBucsFan nailed this.
The Case has settled. No one is guilty nor are they proven innocent. Now Jameis just needs to put on a pair of those new Bose Q35 noise reduction headphones to shut out the buzz from the settlement and focus on beating the Cowboys in 3 days!
Let’s Go Bucs!
December 15th, 2016 at 1:47 pm
I must be one of the racist that you are alluding too because I think Jason Licht is a bafoon and lovie should never have been hired, and always been 100% behind jameis, but didn’t like mike evans stance, don’t think dungy should be in the hall nor do i think lynch should be in, pumped america elected obama as president just absolutely 100% disagreed with his policies, can’t stand stephen a smith but love shannon sharpe and USF made a great hire with charlie strong and hope lane kiffin is next gators coach…. though schiano deserved another year and glad koetter was hired and finally i think both tim tebow and jameis winston are 2 of the best leaders in this country not just on the gridiorn but in life…so that basically sums up my racist beliefs and jameis got railroaded, GO BUCS the Cowboys suck
December 15th, 2016 at 2:52 pm
No reason for him to drop his suit unless part of the contingency is a gag order on her part. Don’t care what she got, but she never gets to talk about it again.
December 15th, 2016 at 4:03 pm
I think it shows people more that she wanted to settle all along. She wanted his money and that was clear since he played at FSU and she knew he was becoming a big star
December 15th, 2016 at 5:03 pm
HE DID NOT SETTLE.
THEY BOTH AGREED TO DROP THEIR CASESS AGAINST EACH OTHER.
SHE WOULD HAVE LOST HERS AND HE WOULD HAVE WON HIS.
HER LAWYERS REALIZED THIS & TOLD HER TO BACK DOWN.
YOU DO NOT KNOW THIS. LOOK UP SETTLE IN DICTIONARY. –Joe
December 15th, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Of course she got paid. Smart move. The publicity of that trial alone would have cost Jameis even if he won.
Now it is at worst a two day news cycle.
This was always going to happen.
December 15th, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Big Irish is correct. This story could just as easy read, “Erica Kinsmann agreed to settle with Jameis Winston”
December 15th, 2016 at 9:39 pm
Welcome to America…you don’t have to be Guilty to lose/settle a civil suit. SMMFH!!!! T#@T &!+@# N##@$ +@ &E R@99#D 4 RE@!
December 16th, 2016 at 11:02 am
Obviously both sides have to agree on something for both cases to get dropped. This is the definition of a settlement; in fact, any case that gets voluntarily dropped before trial is a settlement. It’s possible, but not definite, that one of the parties made a payment to the other that will be held in strict confidence as part of the settlement.
Whether or not this settlement was a good move depends on Winston’s goals.
1) If he was truly looking to clear his name, this was a bad move because it gives the haters a plausible argument that he was guilty and does nothing to clear his name.
2) If he was looking at dollars and cents, it may have been cheaper to settle than to go to trial.
3) If he was looking towards his future earnings and endorsements, it makes sense to put this behind him without an admission of guilt and continue his model citizenship here in Tampa Bay.