Florida State needs to rein in Winston

The Florida State University football team won its 19th game in a row on Saturday night, as the Seminoles rallied back to beat Clemson in overtime.

More impressive for the No. 1 ranked Seminoles is that they won without starting quarterback Jameis Winston, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

What’s not impressive is why Winston didn’t play in the game: more of his antics.

Winston was suspended for the game, after making “offensive and vulgar” remarks about women on campus Tuesday. The school initially suspended Winston for just the first half of Saturday’s clash with Clemson, but extended the punishment to a full game late Friday night ”“ less than 24 hours before kickoff of the game.

Winston didn’t seem to understand the ramifications of his punishment, as he joined his team in pre-game warmups in full pads before head coach Jumbo Fisher went over to his star quarterback and spoke to him, leading Winston to head to the locker room. Winston later reappeared without pads on, but still in his uniform top.

The whole incident, from Winston making a fool of himself on campus to making a fool of himself on the field before the game, is just another example of how the player ”“ whom many NFL talent evaluators think has “it” ”“ doesn’t really get it.

Florida State apparently doesn’t get it either.

The school ”“ particularly interim president Garnett S. Stokes and athletic director Stan Wilcox, who collectively handed out Winston’s punishment ”“ made the right decision to sit Winston for the whole game after making the wrong decision to sit him for just half of a game.

The school has also failed to nip Winston’s antics in the bud time and time again, because this isn’t the first time Winston has found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and it likely won’t be the last.

Winston’s troubles at the school date back further than his triumphs. He first got into trouble when he was red-shirted ”“ meaning he can’t play but doesn’t use up a year of eligibility ”“ his freshman year in 2012. He was questioned by police about an apparent BB gun battle, then later held at gunpoint by campus police for hunting squirrels with a pellet gun, and also was accused of stealing soda at a Burger King.

Three bad choices for Winston before he even played three downs for the Seminoles.

Those incidents could be chalked up to Winston’s immaturity, as he was just 18 years old at the time. But when the reins of a college football powerhouse are put in your hands, you’re expected to grow up in a hurry. Winston hasn’t.

Not even an unforgettable first season as FSU’s starter, which saw Winston lift both the Heisman and the BCS National Championship trophy, could push “Famous Jameis” to grow up.

Neither could a case of alleged sexual assault in 2012 that Winston escaped when the State Attorney of Florida declined to press charges.

Then came a three-game suspension from the FSU baseball team after Winston stole $32 worth of crab legs from a grocery store.

One would think a laundry list that long would surely deter Winston from doing what he did on campus last Tuesday. Wrong.

Well, at least it would surely motivate FSU to hand Winston some forceful punishment. Wrong again.

In fact, despite being banished to the sidelines on Saturday night, Winston was still in the spotlight, as he received as much attention and air time ”“ or more ”“ than his replacement, Sean Maguire. Winston, donning his garnet No. 5 jersey, was the first person to congratulate Maguire after the win, as he was an unofficial cheerleader for the Seminoles.

FSU needs to act on setting Winston straight, and Winston needs to start acting like an adult. Soon, he will likely be playing in the NFL ”“ which is growing tired of troubled players ”“ or he may not get that chance if he doesn’t grow up, as teams may decide his talent isn’t worth the headache he would likely cause.

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