With the uproar of people calling out Jameis Winston for a simple mistake, just as many have seen this for what is was – a simple mistake.
As you are well aware by now, Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times wrote a column calling Jameis Winston out for his elementary school appearance and his message to girls to “be silent”. As many of you are also aware, that was not the intended message. It was a simple case of intending one thing and it coming out wrong.
We’ve all done it. Every single person. Yet, Winston gets completely vilified for it. One slip up since joining the Buccaneers and the anti-Winston crowd was ready and waiting to pounce.
Inexcusable.
That being said, there have been plenty that have come to the defense of Winston for a variety of reasons. They felt the criticism was unjust, they understood he simply misspoke, or they know him and know that’s not the kind of person he truly is.
Some took to twitter to voice their take;
GARBAGE article & twist of words w/ Jameis Winston's speech for the elementary school kids... it was genuine & ultra positive..#Bucs
— Anthony Becht (@Anthony_Becht) February 23, 2017
As someone who's covered Jameis Winston ever day and happens to be female, I don't believe his intent was to disparage women.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) February 23, 2017
I haven't spoken with Jameis, but I believe it's a situation where a young person had good intentions but the delivery didn't come out right
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) February 23, 2017
As a reporter, I can't go by words alone. Context, tone, intent are so important here. I'd want him to clarify what he meant. https://t.co/pvXjX6lOwd
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) February 23, 2017
Jameis Winston deal is the biggest non story I've ever seen after watching video. Good gosh people.
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) February 24, 2017
I'll get crushed, but as a woman, I don't have a prob w/ Jameis Winston. He was trying to do something positive in community. Misspoke
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) February 23, 2017
The most important statement, however, was one that came courtesy of Jones’ former employer 620 WDAE. Pat Donovan and Arron Jacobson were filling in for “Big Dog” Steve Duemig who is missing time due to an illness. Pat and Aaron welcomed Winston’s own mother on to the show to see what she thought of the ordeal and of Tom Jones himself. It’s certainly worth a listen here;
This Winston ordeal has since been picked up all across the country by national and local media alike. It’s unfortunate that it happened, but what is the end game? Winston – rather than partying or laying on a beach having some drinks – was donating his time in the off-season to visit and speak with children. As his mother spoke about, he loves children and the impact he can have just by giving them some time.
Now, after this disaster, will he stop visiting schools? Will he avoid donating his time like this out of fear that someone is going to twist what he says in order to come after him? I’d like to think not, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Next: Should Brandon Myers Stay Or Go?
At the end of the day, it’s nice to see people sticking up for a guy who made a simple mistake – one that anyone criticizing him has made themselves – instead of piling on someone who was just trying to do some good in his community.