NFL suspends Bucs’ QB Winston for three games
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was suspended for the first three games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Winston said in a statement released on Facebook that the NFL informed him of their decision on Thursday. The discipline stems from the league’s investigation of an accusation that the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner groped a female Uber driver during a ride the quarterback took in Arizona, where Winston was attending a charity event in March 2016.
The driver did not file a criminal or civil complaint, however she reported the incident to Uber. The NFL learned of the allegation, when it was reported publicly last November.
“The league promptly initiated a comprehensive investigation that included interviews with several persons, including the driver, Winston and oth- ers with relevant information,” the NFL said in a statement a n nou n c - ing the suspension . “The league also examined an extensive amount of other evidence, including telephone records, business records, data from electronic devices and other communications.”
Winston said that “in the past two 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 fromhis life.
Winston, the first pick in the 2015 draft, has started 45 of the Buccaneers’ past 48 games. He missed three games last season because of a shoulder injury. He will miss games against New Orleans, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and will return Sept. 30 for a game at Chicago.
COMPLAINT: BROTHER OF GIANTS’ JENKINS, VICTIM HAD DISPUTE » The brother of New York 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 William H. Jenkins, 34, the Bergen County prosecutor’s office said Jenkins showed extreme indifference to human life in recklessly causing the death of Roosevelt Rene.
The complaint says William Jenkins got into an altercation with Rene on Monday night that resulted in Rene’s death. Jenkins then fled and was arrested later Monday by the New York State Police on an unrelated matter and held in the Ontario County Jail.
William Jenkins, described by the prosecutor as an employed music producer, has been charged with one count of aggravated manslaughter. He remains in custody in New York. No court appearance has been scheduled. FORMER PANTHERS OWNER FINED » The NFL fined former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson $2.75 million following its investigation into sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace.
The league said the investigation conducted by former U.S. Attorney Mary JoWhite substantiated allegations against Richardson, that the improper conduct was limited to Richardson and that the team failed to report the allegations or any resolution agreements to the league.
The league also saidmost of themoney will go toward organizations that address racial- and gender- based issues in and outside the workplace.
Richardson put the team up for sale after a Sports Illustrated report in December that cited unnamed sources who said Richardson made sexually suggestive comments to women and on at least one occasion directed a racial slur at an AfricanAmerican Panthers scout.