Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Jameis Winston only giving himself a bad rep

Jameis+Winston+only+giving+himself+a+bad+rep

Hey yo, Tyler here. Just a quick intro to myself, I’ve been a long time stalwart of The Prairie – mostly covering and writing sports. It’s my passion, and it’s a field that never gets old. In my time with The Prairie, I’ve met many talented individuals and experienced a wide spectrum of personalities.

Anyway, enough of me. Let’s talk about someone who’s already won a Heisman Trophy, gets hyped up by the sports machine known as ESPN and is the focus of so much scrutiny in the college football world. That man is Jameis Winston, the starting quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles.

Before we jump into Winston and see me on my proverbial soapbox, let’s take a look at his background. Born in Alabama and growing up in the same neighborhood as legendary dual sport superstar Bo Jackson, Winston was the next Jackson – excelling in both football and baseball for Hueytown High School before being recruited by Florida State.

One interesting fact for Rangers fans, he was drafted by Texas in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. However, he opted to not sign and would go on to play baseball for the Seminoles as well.

After redshirting in 2012, he would make a name for himself as “Famous Jameis” and would lead the Seminoles to their first national championship since 1999. Winston would go on to not only win the Heisman, but also take home the Walter Camp Trophy (college football’s player of the year), the Manning Trophy (college football’s best quarterback) along with many other accolades.

These accolades, however, have come at a price. Winston has a knack for finding himself in trouble and getting into trouble quite often. At first, it was sexual assault – where the officer presiding over the case did security work for Florida State boosters. It doesn’t end there, as Winston would find himself dealing with campus police after bringing in a BB gun and firing at squirrels. He was released and never charged.

Winston would find himself in more trouble, stealing soda from a local Burger King despite objections from employees and later shoplifting crab legs from a local grocery store. He was promptly suspended from the baseball team until his community service was completed.

I could go on and on, including a first half suspension and the ongoing autograph scandal, but for time’s sake…we will stop right there.

Now, I don’t know Jameis Winston personally nor professionally – so I’m simply making assumptions. I do ask my readers to forgive me on this one. Perhaps someday, my path will eventually cross that of Winston’s and I can tell you what type of personality he gives off.

But I will say this. If my good friend’s media literacy business takes off, I would be the first person to recommend that “Infamous” Jameis to figure out how to fix his otherwise bad public reputation.

Leave It On The Field and Tre’von Burks – I’m looking at you.

But Jameis has to take a look at the bigger picture. He has the potential to be the next Bo Jackson, whether people like it or not. He’s talented, and he’s a student of the game. But with a mind that can break down and read opposing defenses like a book, he’s certainly not giving off a good impression off the field.

Is it the people that he’s surrounded with? Or is it the thought that with all of those awards and accomplishments that makes him think that he’s virtually untouchable – mostly because other people are letting him get away with it?

Eventually, reality will ensue and Jameis will find himself in over his head. And sadly, his friends or supporters won’t be there to bail him out.

It is already starting to show. Compared to 2013’s National Championship, Winston has lacked the crisp throws he was known for. This season, Florida State is merely living and dying by his actions. Thus far, he’s been good enough to help the ‘Noles survive, as seen by this past week’s game against a highly talent Norte Dame squad.

Also, voters for the Heisman are already sick of him. So don’t expect Winston to pull in another Heisman, while leaving Ohio State running back Archie Griffin as still the lone two-time Heisman winner. If he was a halfway decent guy, however, there’s no doubt that he could receive another invitation to New York City in December.

At the time of this writing, Winston has clearly stated that he will be going to the National Football League once the 2014 season concludes. The NFL will not stand for the mischief that Jameis has been involved in and it’s already starting to show. According to insiders, many NFL teams shied away from Winston due to his off-the-field antics.

I will have to give former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel, another polarizing figure in the sports world, some nice words though. Despite giving off the vibe that he was a crazy, party going college guy, he never got himself into constantly run-ins with authorities.

All in all, Winston has the option of either going down this dark road or ending up in jail or cleaning up his act and take his place as the next great quarterback in the game. But no one can make that decision but Winston himself.

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