Jimbo Fisher Walks Out of Media Session When Jameis Winston Questions Arise, Changes Mind Later
ByJimbo Fisher initially said he was not going to discuss the off-field trouble his quarterback was in, but something changed for the Florida State football coach.
According to ESPN, Fisher appeared in front of several media outlets Monday and fielded one question in particular that stoked his ire. He ended the session when asked if Winston's off-field antics and more serious allegations have affected his own reputation for the worse.
"Why is my reputation taking a hit? For backing a kid who has done nothing wrong?" Fisher said. "I don't want to get into this. The questions weren't supposed to be asked today. I'm done. I'm done."
Typically, when an interview subject is approached with a topic he or she does not want to discuss, the chance is lost. However, Fisher reportedly contacted AL.com later Monday to discuss the Heisman-winning quarterback.
Fisher has garnered a reputation as a "no-nonsense" disciplinarian, though Winston has proven to get himself into all sorts of strange quandaries. But with Winston, Fisher appears hesitant to discipline.
"I base my decisions on the facts," Fisher told AL.com. "If the facts change, we change whatever goes on. But we believe in everything so far and we have no reason not to."
The coach said Winston's disciplinary hearing with the university for the alleged sexual assault he was accused of in Dec. 2012 is still without a date. On the other hand, Winston has been caught shoplifting and shouting sexually lewd phrases in public before reportedly lying to administrators about it.
It has Fisher in an awkward position, because he is employed by the school to win football games, but his best chance at doing so is the player who gets into the most trouble.
Fisher and the Seminoles are coming off a huge win over Notre Dame and their next scheduled game is Thursday, Oct. 30 on the road against Louisville.