NFL

FSU’s Winston moves on after sexual assault charges

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Jameis Winston wouldn’t stop smiling.

Florida State’s quarterback spent another day with the media, showcasing a grin that could’ve stretched to Tallahassee, Fla., as he answered questions about his undefeated juggernaut, his life before arriving on campus and his desire to play professional football and baseball.

The questions are much simpler now.

One month ago, freedom, let alone the ability to play football, wasn’t a foregone conclusion. Winston was facing allegations of sexual assault, clouding the quarterback’s Heisman Trophy candidacy and the team’s national championship chances.

“I know I did nothing wrong, so I had to look at the adversity as something to grow from,” said Winston of the investigation, which resulted in no charges being filed. “At the end of the day, that kind of brought us closer together as a team, because, dang, our quarterback is going through this situation, and dang, people still are not leaving us alone after we’re having a successful season. But that brought us closer together as a team.”

And like that, life went back to normal, or about as normal as life could be for a 19-year-old redshirt freshman who became college football’s most famous player after a season on the bench.

After spending the summer in a quarterback competition with Jacob Coker that several teammates and coaches say was much closer than outsiders realize, “Famous Jameis” entered the lexicon with a dazzling debut against Pittsburgh, completing 25 of 27 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns.

“I was a little bit in awe, I think, like a lot of people, just the poise and composure that he had,” Florida State quarterbacks coach Randy Sanders said. “What he’s been able to do has been remarkable. What he’s done is amazing.”

Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene said Winston hasn’t changed since his first snap — he has just gotten better. Playing on what may end up becoming the highest-scoring offense in college football history, Florida State center Bryan Stork said Winston’s confidence and demeanor have been as instrumental as his play.

“He’s just as goofy as the next guy,” Stork said. “He’s definitely taught us to kind of, because we’re more business like, he’s taught us to kind of loosen up a little bit and just have fun with it, and that’s what I’ve taken from him this season.”

Winston, who will celebrate his 20th birthday during Monday’s BCS title game against Auburn, believes the Seminoles are “the best in the country,” but knows it has to be proven.

It hasn’t been storybook, but Winston still envisions a happy ending.

“I want to be the last person on that field and I want to be holding up that crystal ball — and all the awards that an individual can receive — nothing is more important than hoisting that crystal ball up there with your team singing ‘We Are the Champions,’ ” Winston said.

“I’ll probably break down and cry in tears if we win that thing because so much happened this year and so much has happened in my whole life that moments like this, you want to cherish and you don’t get these moments any other time. So I want to make the most of it.”