Bucs QB Winston suspended 3 games
The Buccaneers will open the season without quarterback Jameis Winston, who was suspended three games for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy.
The discipline stems from the league’s investigation of an accusation that the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner inappropriately touched a female Uber driver in March 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In a statement, the NFL said Winston violated the league’s personal-conduct policy “by touching the driver in an inappropriate and sexual manner without her consent.”
The Bucs drafted Winston No. 1 overall in 2015, despite questions about the young quarterback’s behavior during his college career at Florida State.
Winston, 24, was accused of raping a fellow student at FSU but was never charged. The university settled a Title IX lawsuit over its handling of the allegations with Winston’s accuser, Erica Kinsman, in January 2016 for $1.7 million.
Winston said in his statement Thursday that “in the past 2½ years, my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn.” Winston added that he has eliminated alcohol from his life.
Winston, who has thrown for 11,636 yards and 69 touchdowns in three NFL seasons, has started 45 of the Bucs’ last 48 games. He missed three games last season with a shoulder injury, and the Bucs finished 5-11, missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season.
Dispute led to death
The brother of Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins had an alleged altercation in his brother’s New Jersey home that led to the death of a 25-year-old man.
In releasing the complaint and the warrant against 34-year-old William H. Jenkins, prosecutors say Jenkins showed extreme indifference to human life in recklessly causing the death of Roosevelt Rene.
William Jenkins, described by the prosecutor as an employed music producer, was charged with one count of aggravated manslaughter. He remains in custody in New York.
Ex-Panthers owner fined
Former Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was fined $2.75 million by the NFL after an investigation into sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace.
The league said most of the money will go toward organizations that address racial- and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.