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According to a report from Buzzfeed News, the NFL is currently investigating an allegation against Tampa Bay Bucs star QB Jameis Winston that stems from an incident with an Uber driver in 2016.
The incident reportedly occurred in Scottsdale, Arizona while Winston was with a group of friends when he was put it in the front seat of the vehicle. While alone with the female driver sheclaims he grabbed her in the crotch and held his hand there for several seconds.
Via Buzzfeed News
Waiting in line at the drive-thru of Los Betos Mexican Food, “he reached over and he just grabbed my crotch,” Kate said, alleging that Winston held his hand there for three to five seconds and removed it only after she looked up in shock and said, “What’s up with that?”
“I wasn’t just creeped out,” said Kate, who had been driving with Uber for more than two years at that point. (She no longer drives for the service.) “I was frozen.” She described Winston as “very physically imposing.”
“I mean he’s an NFL quarterback and I’m 5 ft 6. I’m not prepared for that. So I completely froze,” she said, worried that she might provoke an unwanted reaction.
A letter, viewed by BuzzFeed News, was sent from the NFL’s special counsel for investigations, Lisa Friel, to the Uber driver on Thursday. “The League has been informed that you may have been the victim of such a violation perpetrated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Jameis Winston. The league takes allegations of this nature very seriously and has opened an investigation into this matter,” the letter read.
Winston’s lawyers quickly denied the allegation.
We categorically deny this allegation. It is our understanding the uber driver was unable to identify the specific individual who allegedly touched this driver inappropriately. The only reason his name is being dragged in to this is that his uber account was used to call the ride
While a student at Florida State, Winston was accused of raping a female student un a much publicized case which resulted in the woman suing the university and reaching a settlement where the school reportedly paid her $950,000.
The Tampa Bay Bucs have yet to respond to the allegations but they must be worried the NFL is going to move in an suspend Winston considering the current climate in the league.
Update: Jameis Winston issued a statement denying the allegations.
Jameis Winston has issued a statement in regards to the alleged incident with an Uber driver:
"I believe the driver was confused as to the number of passengers in the car and who was sitting next to her. The accusation is false…" pic.twitter.com/FAdFht43Kb
— 247Sports (@247Sports) November 17, 2017