Jameis Winston’s Lack of Awareness is Hurting His Future

By Casey Drottar @cdrottar19 on October 15, 2014

This past Saturday, during a bout between the Florida State Seminoles and Syracuse Orange, the commentary team covering the game took a quick aside to discuss the news regarding FSU quarterback Jameis Winston. The night before, Fox Sports released a report with tons of evidence which would suggest both Florida State and Tallahassee police had obstructed the investigation of Winston’s alleged sexual assault case. As a result, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback was informed he would be facing a disciplinary hearing upon his return to campus.

However, this wasn’t the most alarming aspect of the mid-game conversation. No, what caught me off guard was the pregame warm-up footage being aired while the commentators were discussing Winston’s latest episode. We listened to new details about an alarming story, but watched as Winston danced around with his teammates, acting as if he didn’t have a care in the world. The TV crew marveled, saying something along the lines of “he sure doesn’t look like someone who’s worried about the upcoming hearing.”

I couldn’t help but hear this and think to myself, “is he serious?” Here was Winston, who’s been draped with controversy for over a year now thanks to various run-ins with authority, and was told less than a day ago that a case in which he was accused of sexual assault was possibly tampered with, and he was possibly facing additional discipline. All of this occurring just a few weeks after he was suspended for standing on top of a campus table and yelling obscene comments. And yet, there he was in warm-ups, just looking as carefree as ever.

If it wasn’t obvious before, it has to be now: I just don’t think Winston gets it. He seems completely unaware of anything he’s been accused of in his time at Florida State, and the damage it’s doing to his credibility. Frankly, it’s unbelievable.

In the past year and a half, Winston has been involved in a BB gun incident in which $4,000 in damage was caused, reportedly stole soda from a fast food restaurant, was caught stealing crab legs from a local grocery store, was suspended for a game for the aforementioned vulgar comments and just recently is being investigated for possible compensation received in exchange for autographs. Oh, and there was the whole sexual assault thing.

Despite all of this, Winston continues to act as though nothing is wrong. Heck, this is a guy who, despite being suspended for a game this season, still walked onto the field dressed and ready to play. When told by coach Jimbo Fisher he needed to leave the field and take off his uniform, Winston looked confused, as if this was some inexplicable demand.

It’s just more proof that the talented quarterback just doesn’t seem to understand how to handle the issues he’s been dealing with. You would think, after having his name dragged through national headlines last fall in a controversial sexual assault case, Winston would decide to, at the very least, make it appear as though he’s learned from all of this. That he’s realized it’s best to avoid controversy, to only make headlines thanks to his play on the field.

Instead, he’s still making people question his character and awareness, still hearing his name discussed due to off-field incidents. And he’s still acting as if nothing is wrong.

I wish I could fully understand what goes on in Winston’s head throughout all of this. Perhaps it’s the fame he’s gathered for himself through his remarkable talent on the football field. College all-stars are treated like gods wherever they go, especially on their own campus. It wouldn’t be surprising if this just made Winston feel invincible, as if it didn’t matter what he did, he wouldn’t need to worry about it thanks to all the accomplishments he’s achieved for his school.

If this is indeed the case, you’d think by now he’d come to his senses. Yes, the sexual assault case was dropped last fall, and even though things might be reopening thanks to the Fox Sports report, Winston has yet to be proven guilty.

At the same time, when you’re accused of something as heinous as rape, you can’t act this way. You can’t shoplift just months later. You can’t think it’s a good idea to scream incredibly offensive comments in the campus student union. And you can’t act confused when your head coach tells you, “Hey, that suspension you’re supposed to be upholding tonight, you’re not supposed to be dressed for that.”

Now, as if all of this wasn’t enough, Winston is possibly dealing with even more charges, this time of compensation for autographs. Is this in any way as bad as an accusation of sexual assault? Not even close. It’s an archaic NCAA rule which needs to be addressed, but it’s still a rule. And someone who’s gone through everything Winston has for the past year should know now isn’t exactly the time to be breaking any rules.

But he keeps doing it. He knows what he’s doing is wrong – at least, I hope he does – and still can’t go even a few months without getting in trouble again.

Winston needs to start atoning for his actions, or at least acting like he’s aware of how serious they are, and fast. Expected to declare for next year’s NFL Draft, his stock is plummeting like a rock. Character issues have been known to cause a player to fall in the draft, and Winston is covered in them.

It’s a shame, really, because Winston truly is extremely talented. You could argue he’d be a top overall pick next spring, but you also know such a scenario is extremely unlikely. Not with someone who has the recent history he does, and not with someone who continues to appear incredibly indifferent despite said history.

Yes, Winston is still young, and we all made mistakes during our college years. But, you have to learn from them, or at the very least make it appear as though you’re aware of them. Winston still isn’t doing this, and until he does, it’ll only hurt him in the long run.

Casey Drottar is a Featured Columnist for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @CDrottar19 or “Like” him on Facebook