The NFL has initiated talks with involved parties after a woman claimed Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston assaulted her in March of 2016. The woman, whose name was customarily withheld, told Buzzfeed in early November she was transporting Winston as an Uber passenger in 2016 when he grabbed her crotch.
After those allegations surfaced, The NFL confirmed being aware of the allegations and reportedly “reached out to Uber to request any information they may have.” Both Winston and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby (a college roommate of Winston’s) denied any wrongdoing.
Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed a league investigation had begun last week per an anonymous league source.
“The NFL kicked off its investigation into allegations leveled against Jameis Winston last week by speaking with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head of security, Andres Trescastro,” Schefter reported. “The investigation is not expected to be wrapped up by the end of this season, according to a source. Winston’s case could hang over the upcoming NFL offseason similar to how Ezekiel Elliott’s case extended through this past NFL offseason.”
Winston will likely miss his third straight game this Sunday due to a shoulder injury. The former Florida State University product faced a similar rape allegation while in college. He was never convicted of any wrongdoing, and he reached an out of court settlement with his accuser in 2016.
The Uber driver leveling the current accusations against Winston hired attorney John Clune, who also represented the woman who accused Winston of sexual assault in 2012.
We have asked the NFL this morning to investigate Mr. Darby and are demanding the he immediately turn his phone over to the NFL so the GPS history can be forensically examined.
Clune has reportedly asked that Darby turn over his cell phone “so the GPS history can be forensically examined.” According to Schefter, local police in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, said they weren’t contacted about any possible incidents involving Winston and an Uber driver.
