Suspended from Florida State’s baseball team after he was cited for shoplifting $32 worth of food from a grocery store, Jameis Winston has released a statement apologizing for the incident; “taking full responsibility” for yet another run-in with the law; and acknowledging, even as he yet again displayed the “youthful ignorance” of a player just coming off his redshirt freshman football season, “that my mistakes are magnified and can bring great embarrassment to all those who support me” and that “my conduct needs to be above reproach.”
Winston will be suspended from the FSU baseball team until he performs 20 hours worth of community service and pays a $30 fine as stipulated in the citation. Additionally, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner needs to make restitution to Publix in the amount of $32.72 for the crab legs and crawfish he admitted to forgetting to pay for prior to leaving the store.
Here’s the Seminole quarterback’s statement, in its entirety:“As reported in the news, last night I received an adult civil citation for petit theft from a local supermarket. I went to the supermarket with the intent to purchase dinner but made a terrible mistake for which I’m taking full responsibility. In a moment of youthful ignorance, I walked out of the store without paying for one of my items.
“I realize that I am in the public spotlight and my conduct needs to be above reproach. Over the last year I’ve learned that my accomplishments on the fields can be a wonderful thing for my school, teammates, friends, and family. At the same time, I must realize that my mistakes are magnified and can bring great embarrassment to all those who support me every day. I make no excuses for my actions and will learn and grow from this unfortunate situation. I hope and pray my friends and family will view me as the 20-year-old young man that I am, and support me through this unfortunate situation.
“I am grateful to be able to participate in the adult citation program where I will complete community service.”