Bucs QB Winston pledges to ‘grow and learn’
TAMPA, Fla. — Jameis Winston’s first order of business in training camp was apologizing to teammates.
Now he’s appealing for continued support from unhappy fans who think he no longer deserves to be the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I understand the disappointment. I’m disappointed,” the fourth-year pro said Thursday, speaking publicly for the first time since the NFL suspended him three games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy by groping a female Uber driver the winter after his rookie season.
“I should never have put myself in that situation,” Winston added. “All I can do is grow and learn from that.”
That was the underlying theme of a 10-minute media session after the Bucs’ first practice of this preseason. He declined to discuss specifics about the March 2016 incident in Scottsdale, Arizona, repeatedly saying he’s focused on being a good teammate and moving forward.
“That happened after my rookie year,” Winston, 24, said. “I’ve made a lot of positive changes since then.”
Winston, who has thrown for 11,636 yards and 69 touchdowns in
three pro seasons, will miss what figure to be three of Tampa Bay’s toughest matchups — the Sept. 9 opener against the Saints in New Orleans, followed by home games against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick will take over in Winston’s absence, with Ryan Griffin — a
fifth-year pro who has not taken a snap in an NFL regular-season game — moving into the No. 2 role. Since joining the Bucs, Winston has started 45 of 48 games.
“It’s disappointing that Jameis put himself in that position and put our team in that position,” Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter said. “But at this point, it’s done
and we have to deal with it.”
Tampa Bay drafted Winston No. 1 overall despite questions about the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner’s off-the-field behavior in college. A fellow student at Florida State said Winston raped her, but the quarterback was never charged. The university settled a Title IX lawsuit over its handling of the allegations with Winston’s accuser in January 2016 for $1.7 million.
Fitzpatrick, 2-1 in three starts last season when Winston was injured, practiced with the regulars Thursday. Griffin worked with the second-stringers, while Winston took snaps with the first, second and third teams.
Koetter did not provide details about the incident that landed his starting quarterback in trouble. He also declined to talk about what Winston said to teammates on reporting day.
“I think everybody can appreciate that what’s said in there should be between Jameis and the team,” said Koetter, who also expressed confidence others will step up in Winston’s absence.
The Eagles, Saints and Steelers won their divisions last season, and the Eagles made a memorable run to the Super Bowl title — with their backup quarterback, Nick Foles, leading the way. The Bucs, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2007, are coming off a 5-11 finish.
“I think your team has a lot of leaders. Being a leader starts with being a leader of yourself. I talk to the guys about that often,” Koetter said. “I think that’s one of Jameis’ strengths as a football player … But right now, where we’re standing with the three-game suspension, it’s time Jameis leads from the rear, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”