Another NCAA Autograph Scandal
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Second-ranked Florida State fully expects embattled star quarterback Jameis Winston to suit up Saturday against fifth-ranked Notre Dame in arguably the biggest game of the college football season.
Beyond that, the unknowns for the future of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and the Seminoles’ football program are endless.
With a school code-of-conduct disciplinary hearing looming for Winston that could carry penalties anywhere from exoneration to expulsion stemming from a sexual assault allegation last year, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher reiterated Monday what he said following Saturday’s 38-20 victory at Syracuse: Nothing has changed regarding the status of Winston heading into Saturday’s showdown at Doak Campbell Stadium between the Seminoles (6-0) and the Fighting Irish (6-0).
“I know the facts of the case,” Fisher said during a tense exchange Monday afternoon with reporters. “The facts haven’t changed. We know the report. We know everything that’s out there. There’s nothing new out there. We’ve been through this. Nothing new has come out. Everyone acts like this is earth-shattering news.
“(A school-run disciplinary hearing) is concerning, but just read the
facts of the case. The facts are the facts … and this country is based on innocent until proven guilty, not guilty until you’re proven innocent. We believe in (Winston) 100 percent.
“I don’t want a victim for anything, but there is no victim (in this case). Because there was no crime.”
Those were Fisher’s comments at just after 1 p.m. Monday about one of the topics swirling around Winston. Shortly after 5 p.m., ESPN.com reported — citing unnamed sources — that Florida State’s compliance office was investigating Winston for possible ties to the same memorabilia dealer who was at the center of the indefinite suspension to Georgia star running back Todd Gurley last week.
Practice ended shortly after the report surfaced, and Fisher did not speak to the media following the workout.
James Spence Authentication had more than 340 verified Winston-autographed items listed on its website, according to ESPN.com.
Winston’s attorney, David Cornwell, however, did talk live on the air to ESPN’s investigative reporting talk show, “Outside the Lines,” shortly after the autograph story surfaced, and he was asked for a statement about the report of an active university probe. Cornwell, who said earlier in the interview he did not expect Winston’s school disciplinary hearing to happen soon due to the time needed to prepare, also did not seem concerned about the autograph allegations.
“I do not (know any information about that), and I can tell you in my communications with Jameis, the young man is doing a remarkable job focusing on his studies and focusing on his teammates,” he said. “I think they’ll figure out a way to work their way through this as well.”
Never one to back down from a challenge, Winston is embracing the magnitude of the matchup against Notre Dame and quarterback Everett Golson this week.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Winston said. “It’s finally here. You can’t say (anymore), ‘We’re just waiting and taking it day-by-day.’ It’s finally here. Notre Dame has a great football team. But you know, we’re still Florida State.”
And at least for now, Winston is still the Seminoles’ quarterback.
