Jameis Winston suspended 3 games as NFL concluded he touched an Uber driver 'in an inappropriate and sexual manner without her consent'
- Jameis Winston has been suspended by the NFL following an investigation over an allegation that he touched an Uber driver in an inappropriate and non-consensual sexual manner.
- Winston's suspension is for three games, half the standard penalty for violating the personal donuct policy, because Winston and the league struck a deal.
- This is not the first allegation of sexual misconduct against Winston.
- Winston has issued a statement apologizing to the Uber driver and says he has quit drinking.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback Jameis Winston has been suspended by the NFL for three games for sexual misconduct towards an Uber driver, a sentence that comes after negotiations between Winston's camp and the league.
In a statement regarding the suspension and an investigation the league conducted into the incident, the NFL said, "The investigation had concluded that Winston violated the Personal Conduct Policy by touching the driver in an inappropriate and sexual manner without her consent and that disciplinary action was necessary and appropriate."
Winston and the league had a "negotiated settlement," according to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, which stipulates that Winston will not appeal this decision. First-time violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy generally are supposed to come with a six-game suspension.
Mike Florio speculates that the league offered this deal in order to avoid a long, drawn out appeals process like the ones for Ezekiel Elliott and Tom Brady, and the ensuing negative publicity that would come with it.
This is not the first time Winston has been accused of sexual misconduct. He was accused of sexual assault in college, and while no charges were filed, the Tallahassee Police Department's handling of the case raised numerous red flags.
Many felt Winston got off easy and Twitter users have expressed disappointment as well.
For his part, Winston did release a statement apologizing to the Uber driver, and saying that he has quit drinking alcohol. And the league said in its statement that " . . . a future violation of the Personal Conduct Policy will result in more substantial discipline.