Jameis Winston is off the hook.
The Florida State quarterback was found not responsible of violating the school’s code of conduct Sunday in a decision delivered by former Florida Supreme Court justice Major Harding. He won’t face any discipline from the school.
Harding ruled that there wasn’t enough evidence to implicate Winston in a case stemming from an allegation of sexual assault made by a woman in December 2012. Florida police decided not to charge Winston in the case in December 2013, but the school launched an investigation into the woman’s allegations this September. FSU concluded its investigation Dec. 3 and retained Harding to conduct a hearing.
“This was a complex case, and I worked hard to make sure both parties had a full and fair opportunity to present information,” Harding wrote in a letter to Winston and the woman obtained by USA TODAY Sports. “In sum, the preponderance of the evidence has not shown that you are responsible for any of the charge violations of the Code. Namely, I find that the evidence before me is insufficient to satisfy the burden of proof.”
Winston and the Seminoles will play in the Rose Bowl against No. 2 Oregon on Jan. 1. The winner of that game will face the winner of No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Ohio State in the National Championship game.
Thumbnail photo via Jeremy Brevard/USA TODAY Sports Images
