The NFL is suspending Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston for three games after completing an investigation into an allegation that he grabbed a female Uber driver’s crotch in 2016.
The suspension came after officials determined the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner violated the league’s personal conduct policy, the NFL said in a statement.
The driver previously told BuzzFeed News she was hailed to the lively party scene of downtown Scottsdale, Arizona, to pick Winston up around 2 a.m. on March 13, 2016. She filed a complaint with Uber soon after the ride, writing that “apparently a big athlete in the nfl” reached over “and put his fingers on my crotch.”
As a result of the complaint, Uber suspended Winston’s account.
The quarterback has denied the allegation, which was first reported by BuzzFeed News in November.
In a statement on Thursday, Winston again denied the allegation, but apologized to he driver “for the position I put you in.”
“First and foremost, I would like to say I’m sorry to the Uber driver for the position I put you in. It is uncharacteristic of me and I genuinely apologize,” Winston said. “In the past 2 1/2 years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn, including the fact that I have eliminated alcohol from my life.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.
Talal Ansari is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York. His secure PGP fingerprint is 4FEE 894C 8088 7E08 E170 A515 2801 7CC6 95D3 11C2
Contact Talal Ansari at talal.ansari@buzzfeed.com.
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