When the Bucs made Jameis Winston the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft there were a lot of questions that needed to be answered.
Could he duplicate his on-field success from FSU? Could he escape the cloud of controversy following him?
Winston’s seemingly answered those questions with a commitment to his Tampa Bay team that is equaled only by his commitment to the Tampa Bay community.
Flashback to NFL Draft Day 2015 when the Tampa Bay Bucs tapped Jameis Winston as their franchise quarterback. Winston made a promise to Bucs fans on that day and he’s kept it.
He isn’t just winning on the field, he’s winning off it too.
Charity doesn’t begin at home with this Buc. It begins in the community.
“That’s where it matters," Winston said. "The more we can impact people off the field the better we can get things changed in the world and in Tampa Bay.”
It’s personal with Winston when it comes to charitable contributions, especially with his commitment to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Associations.
For years he’s watched his grandmother Myrtle battled the disease and its left an imprint.
“Seeing her have to get her, one of her toes cut off and her ankles," he said. "I’m actually massaging her feet so the swelling can go down in her ankles. I can only imagine the stress that the parents have and the pain that these kids go through.”
Winston brought a lot of baggage with him from FSU to Tampa Bay, including sexual assault allegations. So far, he’s been a model citizen.
“He’s exceeded our expectations on and off the field and it’s so exciting," Bucs COO Brian Ford said. "Hold on tight here we go. We encourage everyone just to come out and let’s get excited about what he’s doing. He’s a credit to our organization.”
Winston’s kept that draft day promise to Bucs fans to put the past behind him. He wants to win on and off the field.