Bucs' Winston banned 3 games for groping female Uber driver
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston accepted a three-game suspension Thursday for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, the league announced.
The punishment stems from a claim - which an NFL investigation substantiated - that Winston touched a female Uber driver's crotch without consent while riding in her vehicle in March 2016.
"First and foremost, I would like to say I'm sorry to the Uber driver for the position I put you in," Winston said in a statement obtained by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "It is uncharacteristic of me and I genuinely apologize. In the past (two-and-a-half) 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."
#Bucs QB Jameis Winston will not appeal his 3-game suspension, per source. This was a negotiated settlement.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 28, 2018
Winston wasn't criminally charged for the incident, but it's at least the third sexually related controversy he's been involved with dating back to his days at Florida State.
In college, Winston was accused of sexual assault. He avoided criminal charges, but the Tallahassee Police Department drew strong criticism for its handling of the case. He was also suspended for half a game in 2014 after shouting a vulgar sexual Internet meme while standing on a table inside the Florida State student union building.
As part of Winston's discipline, he'll be required to obtain a clinical evaluation and fully cooperate in any recommended program of therapeutic intervention. Additionally, another future violation of the Personal Conduct Policy would result in "substantial" discipline, and could even include a permanent ban from the NFL.
"All members of our organization are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Personal Conduct Policy of the NFL," the Buccaneers said in a statement. "We are disappointed that Jameis put himself in a position that has been found to violate the policy and accept today's decision by the commissioner."
Winston, drafted first overall by the Bucs in 2015, has thrown for 11,636 yards with 69 touchdowns and 44 interceptions through his first three NFL seasons. Veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely start in his place.