Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images(TAMPA, Fla.) — Speaking to reporters for the first time since allegations that he groped a female Uber drive, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston said he believes he will be vindicated by the NFL’s investigation.
“I have no fear at all,” Winston said about the possibility of a suspension, “but I have to respect their process.”
Reports surfaced two weeks ago, first on Buzzfeed, that an Uber driver had filed a complaint with the company in March 2016. In the complaint, she claimed that Winston was in the passenger seat of the vehicle and placed his hand on her groin while waiting at a fast food drive-thru.
Winston released a statement when the reports came out, saying that he believes the driver was mistaken about the number of passengers in the car at the time, and where Winston was sitting. Winston’s teammate at Florida State University Ronald Darby corroborated Winston’s statement t the time.
ESPN confirmed that no police report was filed in the incident, however, Winston’s Uber riding privileges were revoked by the company.
“Since I got to Tampa Bay and how I’ve grown the past few years,” Winston says, “meant a lot to my family…I think that’s more important than what could be said from any outside source.”
Winston has not played in two weeks with a shoulder injury, meaning he was not required to hold weekly press conferences. He is expected to return to action against the Green Bay Packers this weekend.
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