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Jameis Winston

Florida State suspends Jameis Winston for Clemson game

Dan Wolken
USA TODAY Sports
Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) warms up before the game against the Citadel Bulldogs at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Citing results of a "continuing investigation" into an incident Tuesday, Florida State has suspended quarterback Jameis Winston for Saturday's entire game against Clemson, the school announced late Friday night.

The one-sentence statement, which was e-mailed at 11:07 p.m. Eastern time, was signed by interim president Garnett Stokes and athletics director Stan Wilcox. Football coach Jimbo Fisher's name was nowhere to be found.

Originally, Florida State decided to suspend Winston, last year's Heisman Trophy winner, only for the first half Saturday following reports that he had stood on a table Tuesday and shouted a vulgar phrase at the student union, mimicking an Internet meme making the rounds on college campuses. Deadspin was the first to report the incident, citing several Tweets from witnesses.

This was merely the latest in a string of incidents involving Winston, who was accused of sexual assault last year. Winston, who led Florida State to the national title, was never charged with a crime, but the stain on his reputation greatly increased the scrutiny on his off-field behavior.

Florida State, which is under investigation by the Federal government over whether it violated Title IX in its handling of the sexual assault allegations, also is investigating whether Winston violated the school's code of conduct.

In April, Winston was accused of stealing $32.72 worth of crab legs from a local grocery store and was given a civil citation. Winston performed community service in lieu of criminal charges and was suspended by the baseball team for three games.

There was no indication Friday night that the increased suspension was related to anything other than Tuesday's incident on Florida State's campus.

Florida State backup Sean Maguire, a redshirt sophomore who has thrown 26 passes in his career, will start for the No. 1-ranked Seminoles in Winston's place. This development obviously changes the dynamic for No. 24 Clemson, which began the week as a three-touchdown underdog according to Las Vegas oddsmakers, and potentially Florida State's chances of making the first College Football Playoff.

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