Bucs express disappointment in Jameis Winston amid suspension

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday issued a brief statement in the wake of Jameis Winston’s three-game suspension becoming official earlier in the day. The organization expressed it was “disappointed” in the quarterback.

“All members of our organization are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Personal Conduct Policy of the NFL,” the statement reads, via the team’s official site. “We are disappointed that Jameis put himself in a position that has been found to violate the policy and accept today’s decision by the Commissioner.”

Winston also issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging the suspension while issuing an apology. Winston’s statement was relayed on Facebook by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

In his statement, #Bucs QB Jameis Winston apologizes to the Uber driver, saying “It is uncharacteristic of me and I genuinely apologize.” He adds that he has “eliminated alcohol from my life.” … Winston says he’s disappointed in the decision. “I understand the NFL’s process.”

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 28, 2018

Winston’s suspension for the first three games of the 2018 season stems from a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. The NFL conducted a lengthy investigation into an incident in March of 2016 in which Winston was accused by a female Uber driver of groping her during a ride in Arizona. The league released the results of the investigation and announced Winston’s suspension on Thursday.

Official word of Jameis Winston’s three-game suspension: pic.twitter.com/GCQYZ9I3ex

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2018

The victim alleged that Winston “reached over and he just grabbed my crotch,” per a BuzzFeed report that broke the story wide open last November.