Florida State quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston is well known and all over the news lately. Unfortunately it's not for all the right reasons.
Any publicity is not always good publicity, especially when you have acted out in the manner that Jameis has in his brief collegiate career. In just one calendar year, he has had a rape charge, walked out of Publix without paying for crab legs, and now he's just missed his first college football game for making lewd and sexist remarks in FSU's student union.
The Seminoles squeaked by the Clemson Tigers on Saturday night in overtime with Winston on the sidelines. But there would have been lots of what ifs and skepticism had Clemson escaped Doak Campbell Stadium with a win and essentially ended FSU's chance of defending their title.
Now here's the bottom line for the young FSU signal caller who shares two things in common with Bo Jackson: the Heisman and the same hometown (Bessemer, AL). He has to turn this thing around and get it together. Can he do so? Absolutely. But it starts from the top. He has to be disciplined more properly and harshly by his head coach Jimbo Fisher.
He should not have been allowed on the sideline with his teammates, let along inside the stadium. This young man has let this fame go to his head and he must be humbled. Also some notable alums such as Chris Weinke and Deion Sanders need to travel to Tallahassee and personally meet with him and have a heart to heart.
Discipline and corporal punishment are once again a hot topic thanks to the Adrian Peterson debacle. The consensus is Jameis must properly pay for his countless string of mistakes and a message needs to be sent to him. He at least should be on a zero tolerance policy with the university and the NCAA. He is representing both, for better and for worse.
His draft stock is already dropped according to NFL experts and especially with all the drama the league is currently undergoing, many owners will not want to take a chance on a project, despite his talents and physical tools. He could only be a detriment to himself and the team that drafts him.
Everyone should be given another chance to rehabilitate and the play on the field is what should matter the most. However, when you're in the public eye and know better, you need to act accordingly. The clock is ticking on Mr. Winston. Should he declare for the 2015 draft, he has but a few months to turn this thing around and get people around him thinking and talking positive again.
Do you think Jameis Winston can turn this around? What do you think would be the best punishment or motivation for him to do so?
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