A whirlwind year of negative publicity continues to churn nonstop around Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. In a college career that's already seen the Heisman Trophy winner experience sexual assault allegations, an arrest for shoplifting, autographs-for-pay, and a one-game suspension for a public outburst of misogynistic comments, Winston is now under scrutiny for potential point shaving activity.
According to a report first published by TMZ, the NCAA is investigating whether Winston deliberately played poorly in the first half of an October 30 matchup against Louisville in order to help a former high school teammate and UAB athlete, Chris Raab, win a $5,000 bet. News surfaced on a popular gambling website that Raab had bet that amount that FSU would be trailing the heavy-underdog Louisville at halftime. UAB is conducting an investigation of its own into the matter.
And now Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has broken his silence on the issue, addressing the matter for the first time on Monday afternoon. And his tone was dismissive.
"How many reports do we get on guys all the time?" Fischer said, per the Orlando Sentinel. "We send it to the proper channels and they handle it and you move on."
So far there is no direct evidence whatsoever linking Winston to Raab's gambling other than their past acquaintanceship. Although the investigation is at its early on-set and hinges almost entirely on less-than-reputable sources, Jameis would have more to fear than just the NCAA should he be found culpable. Point shaving is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
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