Uber driver accuses Buccaneers' QB Winston of groping
TAMPA - Sexual assault allegations are swirling around Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston after an Uber driver claims Winston touched her between her legs without consent during a car ride back in 2016.
Winston’s accuser, a woman who called herself “Kate,” told Buzzfeed News she picked up Winston from a popular party section of Scottsdale, Arizona.
She claims Winston was alone and hopped in the front seat but during the trip, Kate says Winston was screaming homophobic comments at pedestrians.
Once they stopped at a drive-thru for food, Kate says Winston, “reached over and put his fingers on my crotch. It wasn't accidental.”
She claims he kept his hand there for about three to five seconds.
LINK: Read the BuzzFeed report
This marks the second time the quarterback has been accused of sexual misconduct. In college, a woman said he raped her, but that case was settled in a civil court.
As for this accusation, both Winston and his reps responded to the woman's accusation by saying the statements she made were false and that the Bucs star wasn't alone in the car.
In a statement Winston has since tweeted, he said in part:
“I believe the driver was confused as to the number of passengers in the car and who was sitting next to her. The accusation is false, and given the nature of the allegation and increased awareness and consideration of these types of matters, I am addressing this false report immediately.”
Kate says she filed a complaint with Uber but not the police because she was afraid of getting negative attention.
Winston says he refuted the allegations to Uber back in 2016, but the ride share service ultimately banned him anyway.
The Buccaneers organization put out a statement saying partly, “We take these matters seriously and are fully supportive of the investigation that is being conducted by the NFL.”
Winston did say he apologizes to the woman if he made her feel uncomfortable and does not want to get into a public debate with her.
The NFL confirmed to TMZ Sports the league is investigating the situation, and the Buccaneers issued a statement saying they were "supportive" of the NFL's investigation.