Fansided

Jameis Winston files countersuit against sexual assault accuser

By Cody Williams

May 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) works out for rookie mini camp at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) works out for rookie mini camp at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jameis Winston has countersued his accuser, Erica Kinsman, in federal court.

Jameis Winston was the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just a week after he inked his rookie deal, reportedly worth $25.35 million, Winston was in federal court to file a countersuit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault in a December 2012 encounter, Erica Kinsman.

The counterclaim that Winston filed on Friday in Orlando goes after Kinsman for defamation and “tortious interference with prospective business advantage. The primary claim from Winston and his camp is that Kinsman has consistently lied and, as a result, has cost Winston potential earnings in the future.

Here’s the full countersuit filed to the court in Orlando on Friday (h/t Patrik Nohe and Tomahawk Nation):

The countersuit is in response to the one filed by Kinsman on April 16 in which she is suing Winston for “sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and intentionally inflicting emotional distress.”

After signing a massive rookie contract as the number one overall pick in this year’s draft, it’s hard to talk about him in regards to essentially missing out on making a great deal of money. However, it’s also near undeniable that Winston’s endorsement deals aren’t nearly as numerous as they would be had the sexual assault investigation never happened.

What’s worth noting regarding Kinsman’s suit is that three different investigations of the alleged sexual assault did not yield enough evidence to charge Winston or even show that he was in violation of Florida State’s student code of conduct.

In regards to the countersuit, though, Winston’s claim that Kinsman’s accusations and perpetuation of a lie cost him potential future earnings is hurt by his other actions that caused a stir. Instances like being caught shoplifting crab legs and shouting inappropriate memes atop a table in the mess hall certainly did their share to cost him potential future earnings in their own right. There’s no doubt that Kinsman’s legal team will bring this up in defense of the countersuit.

Even with Winston filing the countersuit and even if he were to win the lawsuit, his reputation is still in question. Even if the Bucs had enough faith in him as a person and player to select him first overall, there’s still public concern about his character and whether or not he has the maturity (or even morality to a degree) the be the cornerstone for a franchise. We’ll see if the result of the countersuit and anything that happens beyond that regarding Winston does anything to help change that.

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