Jameis Winston has been suspended three games by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He was found to have touched a female Uber driver back in 2016 “in an inappropriate and sexual manner” following a league investigation.
Winston, in a prepared statement, said he will not appeal this suspension and will therefore miss the first three games of the 2018 NFL season.
Social media was abuzz with reactions following this news. The big issue most people had was the length of this suspension, which, compared to other suspensions the league has issued for issues most feel are far less consequential, is pretty ridiculous.
With that being said, many on Twitter absolutely hammered the NFL for its decision.
NFL suspensions:
1 game: Josh Brown repeatedly terrorizes his ex-wife
3 games: Jameis Winston sexually assaults an Uber driver
4 games: Tom Brady asks ball boys to underinflate footballs
16 games: Martavis Bryant uses marijuana
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) June 28, 2018
I'm having a hard time understanding how the NFL concluded that Jameis Winston did do what he was accused of, but that was somehow only half as bad as what Ezekiel Elliott did. https://t.co/ZeV5Qt65gz
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) June 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/MJGoldseth/status/1012413705357873152
Let’s just all agree that these suspension numbers are absurdly wrong. All of these domestic incidents should result in losing a season. Unfortunately the NFL is greedy af and can’t lose stars of the league for that long of a term. It’s a damn shame
— cory carter (@cory_d_carter) June 28, 2018
The @NFL is a corrupt and vile organization, @EzekielElliott should sue them for the damage they did to his name, reputation and costing the cowboys a chance to make the playoffs, in Winston can negotiate his own suspension, why doesn’t every player get the chance #FireGoodell
— I hate the Cowboys (@Gallup4Six) June 28, 2018
Man the NFL loves given lighter suspensions to players that have committed sexual assault and harsher suspensions to players wanting deflated footballs and smoking weed…
— Dylan Villa (@TheDillyVanilly) June 28, 2018
The inconsistency in the #NFL’s handling of suspensions offences is absolutely absurd. How deflating a football and drinking beers on vacation is treated more severely than the abuse of a woman is beyond me.
— Ethan Ready (@EthanReady) June 28, 2018
Just so I'm clear here:
Three-game #NFL suspension for Jameis Winston, who confessed to a sexual assault allegation. Six-game suspension for #Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott, stemming from incredible, dismissed DV allegation that saw the lead investigator recommend no punishment. pic.twitter.com/dNwgHVHgJP
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) June 28, 2018
Jameis Winston got three games for groping someone. How many players have received harsher suspensions for smoking weed, exactly? Good job, NFL. You messed up again.
— Nathan Deal (@NattyD13) June 28, 2018
NFL suspensions stay a joke…how does Jameis ONLY get 3 games? Zeke got 6 on a probable sham allegation….Brady got 4 for slightly deflating balls in a total blowout.
— Vijay Venkataraman (@Hindu_Hammer) June 28, 2018