History of Jameis Winston in Timeline

Jameis Winston is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the New York Giants. He achieved early success at Florida State University, winning the Heisman Trophy as the youngest player ever and leading the Seminoles to the 2014 BCS National Championship. Winston was then drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, marking the beginning of his NFL career.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1974: Tom Owen NFL All-Rookie Team Selection

In 1974, Tom Owen was selected for the NFL All-Rookie Team, marking a prior instance of a Buccaneers quarterback receiving this honor.

1978: Doug Williams NFL All-Rookie Team Selection

In 1978, Doug Williams was selected for the NFL All-Rookie Team, marking a prior instance of a Buccaneers quarterback receiving this honor.

1991: Rookie First Pass Interception

In 1991, Brett Favre was the prior rookie to have his first pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown, a feat repeated by Jameis Winston in his NFL debut.

January 6, 1994: Jameis Winston Born in Bessemer, Alabama

On January 6, 1994, Jameis Winston was born in Bessemer, Alabama. He was considered a top dual-threat quarterback recruit and was named MVP of the ESPN RISE Elite 11 quarterback camp and Gatorade Player of the Year for Alabama.

January 6, 1994: Jameis Winston's Birth

On January 6, 1994, Jameis Lanaed Winston was born.

February 3, 2012: Commitment to Florida State University

On February 3, 2012, Jameis Winston committed to attend Florida State University, choosing not to sign with the Texas Rangers despite being drafted by them in the 15th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.

December 7, 2012: Sexual Assault Allegation Filed

On December 7, 2012, a sexual assault allegation involving Jameis Winston was originally filed with the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD).

2012: Redshirted Season

In 2012, Jameis Winston redshirted during the college football season, serving as backup to senior quarterback EJ Manuel.

2012: Josh Freeman Passing Yards Record

In 2012, Josh Freeman set a passing yards record that Jameis Winston came close to breaking during his rookie season.

February 2013: Complaint Classified as Inactive

In February 2013, the sexual assault complaint against Jameis Winston was investigated by the police and classified as open/inactive with no charges being filed, because the victim broke off contact with TPD.

July 2013: Soda Theft Allegation at Burger King

In July 2013, a Burger King employee called police to complain that Jameis Winston was stealing soda. According to the police report, Winston repeatedly filled a water cup with soda without paying.

November 14, 2013: Investigation Opened into Sexual Assault Allegation

On November 14, 2013, the State Attorney of the Second Judicial Circuit announced they were opening an investigation into a sexual assault allegation involving Jameis Winston that was originally filed with the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) on December 7, 2012.

November 2013: DNA Sample Taken

In November 2013, a DNA sample was taken from Jameis Winston after the prosecutor took over the sexual assault case and was found to match DNA found in the complainant's underwear.

December 5, 2013: No Charges Filed in Sexual Assault Case

On December 5, 2013, State Attorney Willie Meggs announced the completion of the investigation and that no charges would be filed against anyone in the sexual assault case involving Jameis Winston, citing "major issues" with the woman's testimony.

December 14, 2013: Heisman Trophy Winner

On December 14, 2013, Jameis Winston won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the youngest player to win the award at 19 years and 342 days.

2013: Played baseball for Florida State

In 2013, Jameis Winston played as an outfielder and pitcher for the Florida State Seminoles baseball team, batting .235 with a .723 on-base plus slugging in 119 at-bats and had a 3.00 earned run average in 27 innings pitched.

2013: Mike Glennon NFL All-Rookie Team Selection

In 2013, Mike Glennon was selected for the NFL All-Rookie Team, marking a prior instance of a Buccaneers quarterback receiving this honor.

2013: Named Starting Quarterback

Prior to the 2013 season, Jameis Winston was named Florida State's starting quarterback. In his debut game in 2013, he led his team to a 41-17 victory over the University of Pittsburgh.

January 6, 2014: BCS National Championship Win

On January 6, 2014, Jameis Winston led Florida State to a 34–31 victory over Auburn in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game, earning the Offensive MVP award. He also celebrated his 20th birthday that day.

April 2014: Civil Suit Filed Against Winston

In April 2014, the accuser filed a civil suit against Jameis Winston regarding the sexual assault allegation.

April 16, 2014: Report on Irregularities in Rape Investigation

On April 16, 2014, The New York Times reported irregularities in the rape investigation involving Jameis Winston.

April 29, 2014: Civil Citation for Shoplifting Crab Legs

On April 29, 2014, Jameis Winston was issued an adult civil citation for shoplifting crab legs from a Tallahassee Publix store. He was ordered to undergo 20 hours of community service and was suspended from any college baseball activity until he completed his community service.

May 2014: Winston Countersues for Defamation

In May 2014, Jameis Winston countersued his accuser for defamation and tortious interference in the sexual assault case.

September 17, 2014: Suspension for Inappropriate Language

On September 17, 2014, Jameis Winston was suspended for the first half of Florida State's upcoming game against Clemson after it was reported that he shouted an inappropriate phrase while standing atop a table in Florida State University's Student Union.

December 21, 2014: Cleared of Student Conduct Code Violation

On December 21, 2014, the official FSU hearing, presided over by retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Major B. Harding, cleared Jameis Winston of violating the student conduct code in the sexual assault allegation.

2014: BCS National Championship Victory

In 2014, Jameis Winston led the Florida State Seminoles to victory in the BCS National Championship Game.

2014: Redshirt Sophomore Season and Heisman Trophy Voting

In 2014, Jameis Winston started 13 games during his redshirt sophomore season and finished the season with a conference-leading 3,907 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. He also finished in sixth place in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2014.

2014: Preseason All-American

Prior to the 2014 season, Jameis Winston was named a preseason All-American by Baseball America as a 3rd-team utility player.

May 1, 2015: Signed with Buccaneers

On May 1, 2015, Jameis Winston signed a four-year, $23.35 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which included a $16.7 million signing bonus and prevented him from playing any other sport than football.

September 2015: Tortious Interference Claim Dismissed

In September 2015, federal judge Anne C. Conway dismissed Jameis Winston's tortious interference claim in his countersuit, but declined a motion to dismiss his claim for defamation.

November 2015: Threat to Sue CNN

In November 2015, Jameis Winston told CNN that he was prepared to file suit if the network aired "The Hunting Ground", a documentary about college campus rape which includes disputed allegations about Winston.

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November 22, 2015: Five Touchdown Passes

On November 22, 2015, Jameis Winston tied an NFL rookie and Buccaneers franchise record with five touchdown passes against the Philadelphia Eagles.

2015: Enters the NFL Draft

After the 2015 season, Jameis Winston decided to forgo his remaining two years of eligibility and enter the 2015 NFL draft.

2015: NFL Draft Selection

In 2015, Jameis Winston was selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL draft.

2015: Rookie Season

In 2015, during his rookie season, Jameis Winston set franchise rookie records in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. He was also named to the NFL All-Rookie Team for his 2015 season.

2015: Rose Bowl and College Career End

In 2015, the Seminoles played in the Rose Bowl against Oregon, losing 59-20, which was Winston's only loss as a starter during his college career.

December 2016: Civil Claims Settled Out of Court

In December 2016, the civil claims related to the sexual assault allegation were settled out of court, four months before the case was scheduled to go to trial.

2016: Franchise Record for Passing Touchdowns

During Week 15 against the Lions in 2016, Jameis Winston broke the franchise record for passing touchdowns in a single season that he set in 2016, becoming the first quarterback in franchise history to throw 30 passing touchdowns in a single season.

2016: University Settlement in Title IX Lawsuit

In 2016, Florida State University paid $950,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the same woman alleging a violation of Title IX by FSU in handling her complaint. The university also agreed to conduct five years of sexual awareness programs and did not admit liability.

2016: Uber Incident

In 2016, Jameis Winston allegedly groped a female Uber driver, leading to an NFL investigation.

2016: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2016, Jameis Winston was selected to his first Pro Bowl game after Tom Brady declined to participate, making him the first rookie quarterback in Buccaneers' history to be selected.

2016: Single-Season Passing Yards Record

In 2016, as a result of his performance against the Indianapolis Colts, Jameis Winston broke the Buccaneers' single-season franchise record for passing yards that he set in 2016, becoming the first quarterback in franchise history to pass for over 4,100 yards in a season.

November 17, 2017: NFL Investigation into Groping Allegation

On November 17, 2017, it was reported that the NFL conducted an investigation into an allegation that Jameis Winston groped a female Uber driver in 2016.

2017: Shoulder Injury and Altercation

In 2017, Jameis Winston suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, missed three games, and was fined $12,154 for an altercation with Saints rookie Marshon Lattimore. He also became the second-youngest player to reach 10,000 career passing yards.

2017: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2017, Jameis Winston was ranked 57th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players.

April 17, 2018: Fifth-Year Option Picked Up

On April 17, 2018, the Buccaneers picked up the fifth-year option on Jameis Winston's contract.

2018: Returns after Suspension

After missing the first three games, in 2018, Jameis Winston returned in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears. Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 2,992 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

2018: Suspension for Uber Incident

In 2018, Jameis Winston was suspended for the first three games of the season due to his involvement in the Uber incident.

2019: Led League in Passing Yards and Interceptions

During the 2019 season, Jameis Winston led the league in passing yards. However, in 2019, he also led the league in interceptions and set the NFL season record for interceptions returned for touchdowns.

2019: NFC Offensive Player of the Week

Following a lackluster first two weeks of the 2019 season, Jameis Winston passed for 385 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception in a 55–40 win over the Los Angeles Rams. As a result of his performance, Winston was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

2019: Playing with Injuries

In 2019, Jameis Winston dealt with a knee injury and a broken thumb for the entire season.

February 28, 2020: Knee Surgery and LASIK

On February 28, 2020, it was revealed that Jameis Winston underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus. It was also revealed that Winston had LASIK surgery.

March 27, 2020: Marriage to Breion Allen

On March 27, 2020, Jameis Winston married his wife, Breion Allen, in a private ceremony held at their home.

April 28, 2020: Signed with the Saints

On April 28, 2020, Jameis Winston signed a one-year contract with the Saints for $1.1 million, including a base salary of $952,000, a signing bonus of $148,000, and up to $3.4 million in incentives.

December 20, 2020: Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List

On December 20, 2020, Jameis Winston was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Saints.

March 15, 2021: Re-signed with the Saints

On March 15, 2021, Jameis Winston re-signed with the Saints on a one-year deal worth $12 million, the day after Drew Brees announced his retirement.

August 27, 2021: Named Starting Quarterback

On August 27, 2021, Jameis Winston was named the starting quarterback for the Saints over Taysom Hill.

March 21, 2022: Contract Extension with Saints

On March 21, 2022, Jameis Winston signed a two-year, $28 million contract extension with the Saints.

March 14, 2023: Re-signed with the Saints

On March 14, 2023, Jameis Winston re-signed with the Saints. He appeared in seven games but only contributed significantly in two in the 2023 season. He passed for two touchdowns and three interceptions on the season.