Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
The validity of the memorabilia items supposedly signed by Jameis Winston was called into question after the original authentication company backed off when it became concerned about whether the Florida State quarterback actually signed them.
ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported that James Spence Authentication received the signed jerseys, photos and mini-helmets and other items after a competitor abandoned the deal because it was not able to personally watch Winston sign.
The memorabilia bearing Winston’s signature turned up on the JSA website for sale in October. The company told ESPN this week that it believes in the authenticity of the collection.
“JSA is confident in its authentication based on a comprehensive exemplar file and a 10-person authentication panel who independently score the autographs,” company attorney Stacy Biancamano told “Outside the Lines.”
Winston’s off-the-field troubles have kept him in the news this fall while Florida State makes a run at another national title, but the autograph issue has never been addressed as far as disciplinary action from the team or school administration.
Florida State announced last month that it was looking into the situation. Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said Winston expressed to him that he had not taken money for autographs.
Various experts contacted by ESPN indicated that it’s difficult to determine the authencity of the Winston signatures because there aren’t enough representative samples in the marketplace to make an accurate assessment.
Winston’s attorney, David Cornwell, refused to discuss the case with ESPN.
