Jameis’ Community Service Record Should Matter
June 6th, 2018
If you’re going to judge a man on a fat pile of maybes, then it’s certainly appropriate to look at the big picture of the man.
That’s what Roger Goodell was doing when he spent extensive 1-on-1 time with Jameis Winston before he was drafted in 2015.
And with an official NFL decision on the current Winston investigation very near, Joe believes it’s appropriate for Goodell to apply that logic now — again.
For six months and counting, Bucs officials and fans have been left hanging when it comes to the NFL’s official Winston conduct investigation. It’s been a painful go for those who care deeply about the Bucs’ 2018 season.
Through Joe’s ongoing research and inquiries, and via the dogged digging of prized JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, three things have become clear to Joe.
1. Jameis will be punished.
2. A league ruling will come sooner rather than later, as in before training camp.
3. The NFL will judge Jameis on a very loose set of parameters because the facts of what happened on the Uber ride in question 26 months ago are flimsy at best.
The female Uber driver, whose name has not been revealed publicly, quickly made a detailed report of Jameis’ alleged unauthorized crotch-touching to Uber, per the November BuzzFeed report that unveiled the story. She claimed Winston entered the Uber vehicle about 2 a.m. on March, 13, 2016, per the report. Winston did not deny he was in the vehicle. The BuzzFeed piece led to the NFL launching its official probe – and to a fast response from Winston via Twitter declaring his innocence of any type of inappropriate contact.
JoeBucsFan.com learned at the Super Bowl that the NFL had yet to interview Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby, who claimed he was an eyewitness in the Uber car and Jameis was innocent of the accusation. That was just one example of an investigation that has not been made a priority by the league, disrespecting Bucs fans and officials in the process.
Multiple sources, for weeks, have told JoeBucsFan.com that the Buccaneers are preparing for the worst, a Jameis suspension, but how long is unclear. However, the NFL judging Jameis fairly before all the facts of the case are on the table is impossible, and we all know the whole truth is never going to appear.
The NFL ruling will come down to how Goodell approaches Jameis under the NFL conduct policy that affords the commissioner loads of latitude and power.
Without clear evidence of wrongdoing or even a police report, would Goodell really dare to take Jameis off the field?
Absolutely. But if the NFL is going to punish a player more for public relations purposes than for hard facts, than that twisted approach should certainly include Goodell factoring in the tireless community service Winston has done in the Tampa Bay and Tallahassee communities, and in and around his Alabama hometown. It’s been consistent since he entered the league.
Again, if you’re going to judge Jameis on guessing, then at least factor in what you do know about the man as an NFL citizen. It’s only fair.
Maybe Goodell could justify levying a fine on Winston and call it a day? Or perhaps just suspend the conduct investigation until after the season? Or suspend it indefinitely until the league feels it really knows what happened versus just image-conscious guessing.
Dragging this out is terrible for everyone involved. The courts grant continuances all the time. If the Bucs can’t get a ruling before training camp, then Goodell should officially table a ruling until after the 2018 season.
It’s wrong to leave fans in the dark along with the entire Buccaneers organization, which has cooperated with the NFL.
But it would be more wrong to judge Jameis on something that simply looks bad without factoring in all that has been Jameis since he entered the NFL.
June 6th, 2018 at 12:28 am
You want facts? Here are some facts. Lots of witnesses too!
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2018/06/jameis-exceeding-our-expectations-bucs-blog/#more-199444
June 6th, 2018 at 12:43 am
Well I can blame the NFL for not coming to a conclusion but this is all on Jw and how he put the team in limbo. But…….. The NFL is a mess right now and bet this incident well forgotten by the NFL. Goodell is probably saying he is NOT dealing with no kids horseplaying in AZ in a Uber ride right now. I got PRESIDENTAL issues.
June 6th, 2018 at 6:08 am
Joe, you’re trying to use PR to offset vile behavior.
Joe is doing nothing of the sort.–Joe
June 6th, 2018 at 6:46 am
This is the me too era. Offenses against women not taken lightly. That is the problem. Whether there is hard evidence or not even speculation of an incident has teeth.
I don’t believe he did anything. But he needs to stop putting himself in these situations. He needs to have a ride or die security detail guy that tells him when it’s time to go home and physically drives him home.
Marriage and having a son should put anymore stupid late nights to bed
June 6th, 2018 at 6:53 am
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That is the problem was not worded correctly. If he was involved in incident well God help us all.
I meant to say the consequences could be severe just based on the speculation of what uber driver is claiming happened
June 6th, 2018 at 7:05 am
If the league is going to suspend Jameis they would have to suspend Darby too. No one is mentioning that fact. If the league is to believe Miss Uber, then they believe Darby is lying to them, you don’t get suspended for that? He’s also guilty by association if Miss Uber is believed. Jameis was just on NFL net with his summer camp, he just got engaged, and is going to be a dad. The league needs more roll models, and would be foolish to suspend Jameis for what seems to be a bold face dollar grab.
June 6th, 2018 at 8:16 am
Again, the investigation is on this board not in any NFL room.
Completely inaccurate.–Joe
June 6th, 2018 at 8:32 am
The allegations against Jameis were serious and should have been immediately investigated and ruled upon.
For the NFL to put this investigation and ruling onto the back burner until just before training camp is a big F-U to the team and the fans.
June 6th, 2018 at 8:35 am
Dear jameis
Please leave this idiot fan base as soon as you can.
June 6th, 2018 at 9:04 am
Joe, I bet you a virtual beer he doesn’t miss a regular season snap because of this. The only place this is an issue is right here.
June 6th, 2018 at 9:16 am
Joe– there will be no suspension. Nationally it is not a story. There is no outrage on social media. No one is pushing for discipline except you…
June 6th, 2018 at 9:17 am
To quote the Bard, “Me thinks thou dost protest too loudly”. I think Mike Florio nailed it when he said this was a PR issue for the NFL. It’s about players as ‘role models’ and in that vein even the appearance of evil is enough for Goddell to demand his pound of flesh. I have no doubt that Jameis is innocent. Where Jameis erred is in not informing the Bucs immediately after the alleged incident. JW is an outstanding asset to the wholesome image the league seeks to project; we’re not talking about Ray Rice here. The issue as I see it is about Winston’s poor judgement. Had he brought this incident to the Bucs attention promptly we would not be having this conversation.
June 6th, 2018 at 9:38 am
Dear Webster
Nobody likes you
June 6th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Lamarcus Says:
“Well I can blame the NFL for not coming to a conclusion but this is all on Jw and how he put the team in limbo.”
Lamarcus, if it is a false accusation, then what exactly did Jameis do to put his team in limbo? Take an Uber?
Even if you say he should have reported the accusation…think about it. There are a lot of haters spouting things off to him all the time, usually FSU haters. They probably call him all sorts of things, and accuse him of all sorts of things. I would not have reported it at all. It was business. And accusation was made. He was innocent and probably shrugged and walked away from it.
Walter Seidel Says:
“…trying to use PR to offset vile behavior.”
Walter, what vile behavior? Seriously. Are you assuming guilt? Then you are talking out your rear, because anyone who has actually looked into the facts knows he is innocent. The driver got caught lying. She then admitted that she only used his name because it was the name on the account. Therefore, she saw his name and knew she could score. A witness not only says that Jameis was innocent, but confirms where Jameis was sitting (rear passenger side seat), which would make it next to impossible for him to touch her that way from his position.
So…what vile behavior?
The vile behavior I see is on the driver and Uber, and on Goodell when he punishes Winston for something he did not do.
June 6th, 2018 at 9:48 am
This suspension will affect the record of the team. I have no doubt of that. If Goodell only suspends him one game (a token suspension for appearances) it will not be bad. If it is 4 or more games, that could get ugly.
Fitz did okay last year…but let’s not forget he is a backup and we cannot just assume he will win most of his games. But what choice do we have?
When this suspension comes, and it will, I can see the haters blaming Jameis for costing the team the season. It really won’t be his fault if innocent, but many will point to the suspension as proof of guilt, even though we all know the suspension will happen regardless because of public image.
June 6th, 2018 at 9:57 am
Casey Morgan Says:
“…there will be no suspension. Nationally it is not a story. There is no outrage on social media. No one is pushing for discipline except you…”
Joe is calling it like it is. You are in denial, Casey. The NFL just does not care if someone is innocent. What it cares about is public image, and after the hit they are taking for the whole kneeling thing, they are going to be very careful not to take another hit.
And it is not national news because no decision has been announced. The moment it is, the national news will talk about it. A lot.
Same with social media…which by the way…you are not capable of monitoring all social media, so you cannot deny outrage there. This website alone is considered social media…and there is outrage here…and not just from Joe.
We all know what is coming, but as Joe said, we don’t know how long the suspension will be. It depends on how much of a statement the NFL wants to make. Even the Bucs know a suspension is coming.
But the Bucs do not want to talk about it because if they do, it might result in a stiffer suspension for Winston. He’s getting railroaded.
It’s like the Rosanne thing, with her show getting cancelled because she made racists remarks. They did not cancel the show because of her remarks (which by the way, most comedians make racist remarks and people laugh). They cancelled it because of public perception.
June 6th, 2018 at 10:09 am
Bonzai
JW is my favorite player. I’m a Northwestern Wildcat fan so IDC about Florida or FSU beefs and hate towards JW.
But let’s be realistic here. I will always love JW. I think he is top elite 11 Qb in the league today ( nobody sees the good) and I do believe he is better than advertised. I’m not no dummy either or nor a homie. But things like Uber is all on him and along eating Ws- which was funny as hell. I’m not turning on him but if I was Antone his dad…. He will got the belt by now. JW needs discpline of some sort. Koetter and this staff won’t do it so yeah discpline in his arse.
Still love him though. And it should be good for him.
June 6th, 2018 at 10:11 am
Oh look, the idiot named bird thinks i post comments to get likes. Thats what makes you a total idiot. I am not 16. I do not care about likes you idiot.
Dear jameis
Please read the idiot bird’s comments as further validation of why you must leave.
June 6th, 2018 at 10:40 am
If Winston gets suspended without any evidence of doing something wrong – then he owes it to his own reputation as well as every other player in the league (now and in the future) – to sue the NFL for loss of contractually guaranteed wages and damage to personal reputation.
Seems to me the NFL would want to avoid that scenario and the ongoing negative publicity it would generate at all costs. Not to mention – what if the NFL actually lost such a case and King Goodell got stripped by the courts of some of his king-like powers…
Think Goodell and the league want to open themselves up to even the slimmest of chances of this possibility?
Sorry – but this assumption Joe seems to be pushing forth that Winston will very likely be suspended seems counter intuitive to what logic dictates. At least from my view point….
But carry on…
June 6th, 2018 at 10:45 am
Sad part is that this women doesn’t even know if it was Jameis who touched her. She used his name bc it was his account but she clearly states she didn’t know who Jameis is or was. But whatever, he’s just guilty disrespectful vile thug
If he wants forgiveness or to be respected by the TB fan base maybe he should become prezUSA then these same people will think of him as a messiah. Bc different strokes for different folks.
Funny bc your prez literally said grab them by the …. and ya we’re cool af with that but when Jameis does it (ALLEDGEDLY) he’s vile and disrespectful and should be suspended bc the nfl shield is held to a hire standard than seal of the USA.
Of course you people can easily legitimize the double standard. Go ahead I’m listening….
June 6th, 2018 at 10:49 am
Dont do them like that DB55 lol
June 6th, 2018 at 11:24 am
DB55
PREACH BRUTHA PREACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
June 6th, 2018 at 11:31 am
Dear Webster
Do you remember the show Webster. You remind me of him A little 30 lb child. Love it when you call everyone idiot who criticizes jameis. We get it. He Is off limits to you.
June 6th, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Hey Bird, I like Webster. As a matter of fact, DB55, Webster, 813, Kobe, Wausa, Tony in LA, Gambelero, Pickrin, St. Pete and a couple others, appear to be actual fans of the game. They understand and can see the truth. They’re not sheep. On the other hand, yourself, Altered Ego, Ben dover, Walter Seidsmell, DBS, Mark2001, Bobby M, SB, Blue footed d!ckhead are the sheep whose comments merit no validation. The hate, veiled in fandom, is easily diagnosed. Remember, whites with whites, colors with colors. You don’t want to get your sheets tie dyed.
June 6th, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Oh, sorry Lord C, and Defense Rules. Didn’t mean to exclude you.
June 6th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
I don’t see any Gator fans highly criticizing Winston or FSU, possibly friendly sports banter. The kids love Jameis, most Buc fans like Winston because he’s the QB of their favorite team and what fan doesnt want to see his QB excel, duh. NFL headmaster Baddell should have cleared up and finalized this incident and conclusion already. Loves the only reason why.
June 6th, 2018 at 3:48 pm
blah, blah, blah … it’s a non-issue
June 6th, 2018 at 7:42 pm
Trust me, they will suspend Jameis for multiple games and do it probably hours before opening day. Anything to screw over the Bucs.
June 9th, 2018 at 12:19 am
Winston will not miss any time. He’s unlikely to be suspended however if he is, he’ll appeal and likely win. He’ll be able to play while appealing and if the appeal is denied he will take it to arbitration and be able to play while the case is before the arbiter. Thus no time missed in 2018