Jameis Winston's attorney: Winston needs help to grow 'as a man'
Jameis Winston's attorney, David Cornwell, said Friday that Winston is "not ready to be an NFL player off the field."
Speaking at Villanova Law School, Cornwell criticized the media coverage of Winston's sexual assault case and commented on Winston's character.
Cornwell, who tweeted the name of Winston's accuser in November and mentioned it on Friday, said Winston needs assistance in "growing and developing as a man."
Cornwell also commended Winston for his "self-awareness" and said it was Winston's idea to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Cornwell's comments were tweeted by BuzzFeed's Joel D. Anderson.
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Cornwell later tried to clarify his comments about Winston. "I don’t think (Winston) is unique," Cornwell said. "I don’t think anyone is ready. No one is ready for this world when they come into it."
Added Cornwell, "The idea that standing alone, he’s ready to get into this shark-infested pool, it’s just crazy. I don’t understand why it’s news."
Anderson, who tweeted Cornwell's comments, noted that Cornwell implied not that Winston is unprepared for the NFL, but that he "still has some growing to do."
Winston is considered one of the top prospects in this draft class, but many have raised questions about his off-field conduct.
Winston was accused of sexually assaulting a former Florida State female student in December 2012. Authorities did not file charges, and Winston was also cleared in a university Code of Conduct hearing.
In addition, Winston was cited for stealing crab legs from a grocery store in Tallahassee and was assessed a one-game suspension after he was seen shouting an obscene phrase in the Florida State student union.
Over two seasons as the Seminoles' starting quarterback, Winston completed 66 percent of his passes for 7,964 yards with 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2013.
In his latest mock draft, SI.com's Don Banks projects the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to select Winston at No. 1.
