The National Football League could not have been clearer or more direct. It accused Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston of sexually assaulting an Uber driver in March 2016.
No ambiguity. No innuendos. No carefully worded, read-between-the-lines insinuations.
The NFL specifically said that it found his victim to be "credible." It said Winston touched her in a "sexual manner without her consent."
That's the exact definition of sexual assault.
So I'll repeat what I wrote last week: the Bucs should cut ties with Winston immediately.
No conversations. No meetings. Just do it.
What else do the Bucs need to hear? What else does Winston need to do? What line does he need to cross?
How can you possibly employ this man any longer?
How can you put his photo on the side of your stadium? How can you sell his jersey? How can you send him out to talk to kids?
This is no longer about Winston. He's a bad guy and this latest incident in a long series of bad decisions confirms that.
This is now about the Glazers. This is their team. This is their reputation and legacy that we're talking about.
Winston wouldn't even be here to begin with if the Glazers hadn't signed off on it and he won't be here next season if they don't want him to be.
If he does return, it's because the Glazers say it's OK. OK that he's their leader on the field. OK that he's the face of the franchise off of it.
If you don't cut him now, what kind of message are you sending to fans?
Here's what you're saying: that you tolerate this kind of garbage. That you're willing to overlook disgusting behavior as long as you can throw a football really well. That winning football games is more important than anything else.
And if that's what the Glazers think, shame on them.
Even if this team wins, how can you feel good about it knowing all the stuff Winston has done and what kind of person he seems to be?
Winston's pattern of horrible behavior has been an embarrassment to the franchise and, worse, a menace to society.
I don't want to hear about all the good he does in the community. That's not a get-out-of-trouble-free card. That doesn't allow you do whatever you want. Just because you do charity work during the day doesn't give you the excuse to go out and put your hands wherever you like at night.
I don't want to hear how he's just a kid making immature mistakes. He's 24. I don't remember Gerald McCoy or Mike Evans or Steven Stamkos or Chris Archer or Victor Hedman doing this kind of junk when they were that age.
I don't want to hear about second chances. He was out of those a long time ago. At some point, there needs to be real consequences beyond slaps on the wrist for Winston's actions. Until there is, he'll keep acting like an idiot.
And I have little use for his statement where he said he's going to hold himself to a higher standard and how he's going to put this incident behind him and work hard to be a positive influence in the community.
Why should we believe him now?
This is the same guy who, when he came out of college, told us to judge him on his behavior moving forward. This is the same guy who, when news of this Uber incident broke last November, put out a statement that, essentially, called the victim a liar. Over and over in a statement, he called the allegations false.
So what he says now carries no weight. Winston has lost the benefit of the doubt. There have just been too many ugly moments, too many embarrassing incidents, too many decisions that range from sleazy to downright disgusting.
Winston's words are constantly betrayed by his actions, making pretty much everything he says meaningless.
In his statement, Winston said he has given up alcohol. Here's hoping he does whatever is necessary to turn his life around.
But that doesn't excuse any of the junk he has done.
Enough, already.
This could be an incredibly dark moment for the Bucs franchise, but only if the Glazers allow it to be. It's time they send a message that there are more important things in life that football. It's time to stop enabling a guy who has proven time and time again that he doesn't know how to act.
Winston has already shown what kind of person he is.
Now we're going to find out what kind of people the Glazers are.
