Last week, Florida State launched an investigation of their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston is accused of accepting payment for his signature, a claim that his head coach Jimbo Fisher adamantly refutes.
The facts of the case paint an interesting picture. A memorabilia authenticator has certified over 2,000 autographs through their database. The founder of the authenticating service, James Spence, said it is “highly unlikely” that these autographs were signed at different times for different fans. It seems to suggest that Winston signed hundreds of items for a single person.
But this evidence, despite looking suspicious, doesn’t provide anything more than just that: suspicion. The website boasting hundreds of Winston signatures proves nothing more than he signed hundreds of items. There is no proof he was paid for anything, yet it’s left up in the air in a way that makes it hard to believe otherwise.
What’s a star football player to do in a time where even a sniff of suspicion could cost them their season? Oregon QB Marcus Mariota’s autographs pop up all over eBay, as well as those of Mississippi State thrower Dak Prescott. Are these players supposed to avoid signing balls for fans for fear of it ending up for sale online? Shouldn’t they be enjoying their time as college football icons, instead of living in fear of turning up in the next violations report?
The NCAA has become so hypersensitive to cases like player payment that they now tread very lightly when one’s eligibility is in question. The prime example is Georgia’s Todd Gurley, who is currently suspended indefinitely while the NCAA investigates his case. Gurley missed the Bulldogs' game vs. Missouri and did not suit up this weekend against Arkansas. Whether Gurley took money or not, he won’t be playing while the NCAA investigates him. If he turns up innocent, he will have been suspended for nothing, hurting his Heisman chances and his draft stock.
I know the NCAA has rules like this in place for a reason, and I respect why they are there. But the execution in these cases is often wrong, and players are paying the price. Gurley sits in limbo waiting for a NCAA ruling, and Winston could soon be doing the same. It isn’t fair to players or fans of college football. It’s time for the NCAA to take productive action and look to revise their process. Otherwise, players will continue to be put in bad situations with no logical way out.