Jack Nicklaus hates to see critics ‘hammering’ Jameis Winston
Jack Nicklaus doesn’t believe Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is getting a fair trial in the court of public opinion. The 18-time major winner, thinks the beleaguered signal caller deserves better.
“I just hate to see them hammering a 20-year-old kid,” said Nicklaus, whose grandson Nick O’Leary is a teammate of Winston’s. “Has he made mistakes? Maybe. But you’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, I think. Not charged and convicted and sentenced.”
Winston had made more than his fair share of mistakes in his time at FSU, ranging from not paying for crab legs at a supermarket, to yelling out a sexually explicit phrase made popular during the World Cup in a school cafeteria. He was accused of sexual assualt in Dec. 2012. While he wasn’t formally charged in the case, the school has informed Winston he’ll face a disciplinary hearing and possible code of conduct sanctions pertaining to those allegations.
In the past week, over 2,000 Winston-signed items appeared on a memorabilia authentication site. The school cleared Winston of any wrongdoing in the matter, including if Winston was paid for signing the items.
Nicklaus, who is generous with his John Hancock in infrequent public appearances, didn’t seem to think that 2,000 number was all that high.
“I wonder how many autographs I have out there. Every game I go to I sign, probably 20 or 25 (people) and four or five each,” Nicklaus said, according to the Palm Beach Post. “Start adding that up. And he’s a lot more available than I am. He’s not the only kid with a couple thousand out there. A bunch of those kids have to have a couple thousand.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
