After a close game between Florida State University and Clemson University this weekend and the one-game suspension of No. 1 FSU’s Heisman-winning quarterback, Jameis Winston, college football fans across the country are wondering what the future of the national championship winning team will be.
In the past year or so, Winston has created a media frenzy. Between a sexual assault accusation, theft at a Publix in Tallahassee this April and shouting obscenities on FSU’s campus, it is safe to say that Winston has yet to learn the consequences of making senseless decisions while constantly being under the watch of the public eye.
Johnny Manziel of the Cleveland Browns is another athlete that made headlines for the wrong reasons while at Texas A&M. His constant partying, arrest and an eventual guilty plea to a misdemeanor were just some of the reasons behind Manziel’s name was recognized throughout the country not only for being a Heisman winner, but also for using questionable judgment.
Sports stars are often looked up to as role models in our society, and it is important that they behave ethically in order to set an example for people everywhere.
Winston’s actions have not only disrespected people everywhere but also the fans, students, faculty, alumni and teammates who count on him.
As an award-winning quarterback, Winston is naturally put into the role of being a leader for his team. A leader should not be someone who runs for cover with prepared statements. A leader is someone who accepts the consequences of their actions and strives to better himself or herself and actually learn a lesson from what they’ve done.
So far, we have yet to see any of this from Famous Jameis.
There is no doubt that the pressures of being in the limelight constantly can be grueling. However, his poor judgment is the source of his problem. While many people are claiming that being young and naïve is to blame, he has to know right from wrong.
The patience of fans is beginning to wear thin.
While watching the pregame show, it is easy to spot out a variety of signs and shirts made by FSU fans mocking their own quarterback.
What we are asking of Winston is not too much. Being a star athlete does not mean that he is exempt from respecting people and the law.
The real question is, will Winston ever learn his lesson, and what will he apologize for next?