Jameis Winston Sued Over 2013 Rape Allegation
Jameis Winston, who many observers believe will be first overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft has been sued by a woman that he allegedly raped.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that the lawsuit stems from a 2013 incident which triggered a federal investigation into how Winston's school, Florida State University, deals with claims of sexual assault.
The victim is seeking more than $15,000 in damages. The basis of the lawsuit are claims of rape, assault, and imprisonment.
Numerous media reports have highlighted the extraordinary lengths that both the Tallahassee and Florida State police went through in order to prevent the issue from going to court. For example, the investigator in charge of the investigation into the rape accusations did not collect DNA evidence, interview witnesses, or check Winston's phone records.
The lawsuit is another black eye for the NFL and its treatment of women. The 2014 season opened with a scandal involving a player who knocked his wife unconscious. The league recently hired its first professional female referee, but many have said that move was a cynical ploy to distract from how the NFL handles issues like rape and domestic violence.
It is unclear how the news will affect Winston's draft stock. He is still valued as the number one pick despite a number of off the field incidents in addition to the rape. Winston has stolen things from supermarkets and also made dramatic scenes where he screamed inappropriate phrases in the middle of FSU's campus.
