Winston light: Bucs QB only gets 3 games for groping

Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has been suspended for the first three games of the 2018 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Winston, 24, was accused of groping an Uber driver in 2016 but it was not publicized until a BuzzFeed report in November 2017 sparked an NFL investigation.

Winston will not appeal the suspension, per The MMQB, which reported that the three games was part of a settlement agreement between the NFL, NFLPA and Winston’s reps.

The typical suspension for a violation of the personal conduct policy is six games.

Winston is also required to obtain a clinical evaluation and fully cooperate in any recommended therapeutic intervention.

The victim, identified as “Kate,” told Buzzfeed that Winston “reached over and he just grabbed my crotch” while they were waiting at a drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant at 2 a.m. in Scottsdale, Ariz.

She added he also shouted homophobic slurs before groping her from the front passenger seat. She subsequently filed an incident report with Uber but did not contact the police.

The NFL confirmed her allegations in its statement.

“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,” the NFL’s statement read.

Winston, who has previously denied the allegations, released a statement on Thursday in which he acknowledged the incident, apologized to the driver and said he has cut alcohol out of his life.

“First and foremost, I would like to say I’m sorry to the Uber driver for the position I put you in,” he said. “It is uncharacteristic of me and I genuinely apologize. In the past 21⁄2 years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn, including the fact that I have eliminated alcohol from my life.”

Winston was also accused of sexual assault in 2012 at Florida State, resulting in a $950,000 settlement.