Florida State red shirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston, who has been involved in an ongoing sexual battery investigation, may still be the front runner for the Heisman Trophy, based on his dominant performance on the field.
But even though he has not been charged and remains eligible to play for the unbeaten, second-ranked Seminoles, his alleged off the field behavior could hurt him if electors factor in character when they file their ballots for the award, which will be presented Dec. 14. in New York.
Officials in the State’s Attorney’s office in Tallahassee have indicated their investigation is not likely to be completed for at least two weeks and no charges will be filed until after the Atlantic Coast Conference football championship and the Dec. 9 Heisman trophy voting deadline.
But Winston’s public image took another hit Wednesday when word came out he was allegedly involved in two minor incidents, according to records obtained by the Associated Press from city officials. Winston was not arrested or charged in either instances, and both situations are unrelated to an ongoing investigation that he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman.
The 19-year-old Winston and other Florida State players were questioned in November 2012 after 13 windows were broken at an apartment complex following a BB gun battle near the team’s stadium, the AP reported Wednesday, based on records obtained from Tallahassee city officials through a Freedom of Information request.
Winston and his then-roommate, Chris Casher, a defensive end on the team, told officers they had in fact in been involved in “battles” with other members of the team, but they denied shooting the BB guns. The apartment complex manager had sought to evict Winston and three other tenants but ultimately decided against the eviction after an official with the Florida State athletic department promised that the players would pay for the damage.
A second incident that surfaced Wednesday indicates a Burger King employee called police to report Winston was stealing soda. Winston allegedly entered the Burger King with three other men, did not order food and starting using ketchup cups to fill with soda. He was never questioned by police because the owner of the Burger King restaurant decided not to prosecute.
