ATLANTA -- Jimbo Fisher stood by Jameis Winston at Florida State, and now, Fisher isn't changing his stance after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback's three-game suspension.
- Jimbo Fisher reinforces support of Jameis Winston
- Fisher on Winston: 'There's not a better team player'
- Winston accused of inappropriately touching Uber driver
Fisher, who left FSU to take the head coaching job at Texas A&M, spoke during a news conference at SEC Media Days on Monday and was asked whether he'd still want Winston as his starting quarterback.
"I love Jameis, and hopefully he'll be able to move on and obviously it's something he will be able to move on from," Fisher said. "Yes, I love him and still think he's a tremendous young man."
The NFL suspended Winston the first three games of the upcoming NFL season for a 2016 incident during which, according to a NFL investigation, Winston inappropriately touched a female Uber driver in a sexual manner without her consent.
Winston initially denied the allegations, but after the investigation apologized in a statement.
Jameis Winston was Jimbo Fisher's starting quarterback at Florida State. (File)
"First and foremost, I would like to say I'm sorry to the Uber driver for the position I put you in. It is uncharacteristic of me and I genuinely apologize," Winston said.
Winston was accused of sexual assault in 2012. Charges were never filed, and Winston wasn't suspended from the football team. Winston won the Heisman Trophy and BCS National Championship during the 2013-2014 season with Fisher as his head coach.
Fisher is beginning his first season as Texas A&M's head football coach and underscored his support of Winston at the SEC Media Days news conference.
"If you're ever around him, you understand what I mean," Fisher continued. "There's not a better team player. The guy works as much as any[one]. He made a mistake. Obviously, he'll pay the consequences for that, and we'll move on."
No charges were filed in the Uber incident. The allegations were first reported by Buzzfeed. According to the NFL Network, Winston won't appeal the suspension.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will start for the Buccaneers in his place.