Jameis Winston Benched: Florida State Quarterback Disciplined After Yelling Sexual Obscenity On Campus

Jameis Winston will be stuck on the bench for the first half of Saturday’s game against Clemson after the Florida State quarterback was seen shouting a sexually obscene phrase on campus this week.

The university announced the discipline for Winston on Wednesday, which comes as a result of violating FSU’s high standards of integrity for student athletes.

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said benching Jameis Winston was the right thing to do.

“It was not a good decision,” Fisher said during a teleconference on Wednesday. “You can’t make certain statements that are derogatory or inflammatory to any person, race or gender. You have to understand that. You have to be very intelligent about what you say, (because) it matters.”

Word of the incident spread quickly on Tuesday, with many Florida State students tweeting about seeing Jameis Winston allegedly standing on a table while yelling obscenities, mimicking a popular internet video.

“You don’t ever want any kind of instances, but we have to keep learning and educating, we have to make better decisions, we have to make good decisions on things,” Fisher said. “And we’ll try to continue to do that and try to educate.

He added, “The statements in which you make are always going to be more public than statements that other individuals make. That’s just the nature of the business, of who you are and what you are.”

Jameis Winston could be facing more trouble at Florida State. After being accused of rape in 2012 — though ultimately not charged — he still faces the university’s judicial system for student conduct and could face further punishment.

At the time the investigation was announced, Fisher said the team wasn’t letting the process become a distraction.

“No, this team moves on,” Fisher said. “I have no idea how that’ll go, what it’s about. That’s for other people to find out. We’re just here playing ball.”

With Jameis Winston benched against Clemson, backup Sean Maguire will play the first half.