How far will a school go to protect a star athlete from rape allegations? Ask Florida State.
Our film The Hunting Ground and the New York Times have already detailed the extent of FSU’s derailment of Jameis Winston’s rape case, but a recently released, explosive deposition shows how top-level administrators were actively involved in this cover-up.
The Tampa Bay Times published the complete testimony of FSU Victim Advocate Director Melissa Ashton that was given in the just-settled case of Erica Kinsman versus Florida State University. Ashton’s testimony revealed that:
1. Jameis Winston (now the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) has been identified in the sexual assaults of two women, and
2. The Florida State Chief of Police and the Dean of Students colluded to stop the investigations of Winston.
FSU’s victim advocate office had 113 sexual assault reports over 2014, yet FSU’s administration reported only 14 sexual assaults to the federal government. QB Jameis Winston Winston won the Heisman Trophy and in early January, 2014 led his team to the national championship.
Florida State opened the 2016 season at home against the Ole Miss Rebels. Trailing 21-6 at halftime, head coach Jimbo Fisher had Jameis Winston give the Seminoles a pep talk. The speech worked to perfection, and Florida State rallied, winning easily, 45-34. A 52-8 win against creampuff, Charlestown Southern gave the Noles a 2-0 record. They held the number two ranking in the NCAA College Football poll.
On the road against upstart University of Louisville this past Saturday, the wheels came off the bandwagon. Louisville QB Lamar Jackson accounted for five touchdowns, and a 35-10 halftime lead reached 63-10 in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals made no attempt to increase the 53 point margin. Florida State scored a TD with just five minutes remaining to close the gap to 63-17. If the score held, it would supposedly be the worst loss in Florida State football history.
With two minutes remaining in Saturday's contest, Louisville punted to Florida State. The Seminoles mounted a drive into Louisville territory that reached the 16 yard line. 51 seconds were left on the clock at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium when FSU kicker Ricky Aguayo booted a 33 yard field goal to make the final score, 63-20.
Florida State was under the assumption that a 45 point loss was their worst beating ever. The Seminoles worst loss remains 49-0 to Florida in 1973. The loss Saturday was the worst since 47-0 to Miami in 1976, in Bobby Bowden's second season as the Seminoles head coach.
The word on the street for Florida State fans used to be that " they would have one shirt and a 20 dollar bill, and change neither for the weekend." The team, when faced with adversity, is not even at that level.
Paul Murphy
Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy
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