Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Jameis Winston Does it Again




Jameis Winston Suspended First Half 

 

    Jameis Winston is in the negative spotlight yet again. This time for using some obscene language in a public place. The school announced his suspension for the first half against Clemson earlier today. Winston has since apologized in a press conference held at FSU. "I'm not a me person, but my actions were selfish......"


   Jimbo Fisher decided to suspend him for the first half against Clemson..... And Fisher's message should be something that is becoming clearer to Winston. Fisher isn't going to let Winston become bigger than the team. Although, critics argue that Winston has already been extended special treatment. From "Crab Gate" to his incident with a female student at FSU involving sexual assault allegations, Winston has not faced many penalties from the FSU football coach..... Or at least that have been made public anyway.

   The real hope here is that Winston will finally start to understand that he is not bigger than the program. But if he hasn't learned that already from his previous incidents, then it's fair to ask how this situation will end any differently. Winston may not have done something to get him in trouble with the police, this time, but he needs to understand that everything he does will be picked apart by social media and big four letter networks. He needs to understand that leadership doesn't stop when he walks off the football field. 

   Will Winston learn from his mistakes? The jury is still out on that one, but it's safe to say, at this point, that he hasn't yet. Jimbo Fisher has a track record with dealing with big time players. Many fans may remember Greg Reid and all the issues that came along with him. It is important for fans to remember how Reid left FSU. Reid was a very exciting player on the field, but off the field it was another story. Eventually Fisher had no choice but to kick him off the team. Fisher isn't afraid to dish out penalties to his players. He also isn't afraid to give players another chance.... But eventually those chances run out. Reid is a prime example of that. If issues continue to pile up, Winston will be faced with the same ending that Reid had with Florida State. 

   With all the of the issues in the sports world, many fans are still asking "What were you thinking Jameis?!?!". From the issues with Ray Rice and the NFL, to the probing of a person's character off the field. This is a very serious wake up call for college athletes. What these student-athletes do off the field will be held under a microscope by NFL scouts and coaches. Celebrities are held to a different standard than the rest of the population. Everything they do is pumped full of hot air just to sell a news story. There is no defending Winston here. Winston needs to realize that he is being watched 24/7. His decision making may be pretty solid on the field, but off the field? Yep, that's another story. 

   At the end of the day, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher should be praised for trying to put Winston in his place. Coaches and mentors can only do so much.... Eventually, the individual has to take responsibility for their actions. And for Winston, time is running out for him to get it right. 




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