Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, who is preparing for the College Football Playoffs semifinal game against Oregon at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, said he wants to prove the public perception of him is untrue.
“My only thing today is to prove I’m a good guy,” Winston said Sunday in his first news conference since he was cleared of violating Florida State’s student code of conduct in connection to rape allegations. “I’ve got to show more of my actions and not about the past. I can’t worry about the past. I can’t worry about the future. I’ve got to be where my feet are and keep working every day to become a better person and a better football player. And a better teammate.
“People always can bring up old things but now I’m doing what I do. I’m a loving person — I’m loving my teammates. I’m dependable. I’m accountable. I can’t show out to the world that I’m that guy because you’re not in the locker room and a lot of people don’t know me for who I am. Perception is reality but perceptions can also be false.”
Winston said he is focused and not allowing any off-the-field drama to be a distraction as the No. 3 Seminoles prepare to face the No. 2 Ducks.
The game could be the final game of his collegiate career if he forgoes his last two seasons of eligibility next year and enters the NFL draft. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner remains undefeated in his two seasons as FSU’s quarterback. but has been in and out of the news for non-football related issues since last season.
Winston said his confidence has never been shaken.
“Never, because those guys (his teammates) can’t see my confidence wavering. I believe that even if I’m having a bad game, when the time gets rough, I know that I’m better than anybody … in the country.”