Jameis Winston Autograph Investigation May Be Heading Nowhere; Report Questions Authenticity of Signatures

A new report indicates that the validity of Jameis Winston's signature on more than 1,000 items may have reason for being for being questioned.

Five unnamed sources within James Spence Authentication (JSA) told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" (OTL) the company certified the signed memorabilia only after a rival rejected the items. PSA/DNA reportedly had reason to believe Winston's signatures on more than 1,000 photos, mini-helmets, jerseys and other items were not authentic.

The authentication company that first had the opportunity to acquire items signed by Winston broke off the agreement when they could not watch the reigning Heisman Trophy winning quarterback sign the items. Unnamed sources previously said that Florida State University (FSU) was investigating Winston for accepting improper benefits in exchange for signing the items.

James Spence, JSA's owner has stated in Oct. and more recently that he believes the Winston-signed items his company has listed to be authentic. JSA is the same company that listed items signed by Georgia running back Todd Gurley, who served a four-game suspension after admitting to receiving payment in that instance.

Unnamed sources told the Palm Beach Post met with compliance officials at FSU to discuss the autograph issue. In that meeting, the sources said Winston looked at several signatures and picked out which ones were forged.

In signing pieces of memorabilia, collegiate athletes are well within NCAA rules, whether they sign one item or thousands. The NCAA strictly forbids their student-athletes from being compensated for their autograph. Fans and authentication companies like JSA may also sell the autograph, as long as none of the profits reach the student-athlete.

During baseball season and football season, Winston has been seen signing plenty of memorabilia items for fans.

The sources told OTL Donnie Burkhalter, a memorabilia dealer in Florida, arranged Winston's signing sessions, including one in Feb. in a hotel that the QB did not attend. When Winston wanted to change the venue to an apartment, at which point PSA/DNA backed out.

Burkhalter told OTL he never paid Winston for items he had the QB sign and also did not recall the Feb. meeting he supposedly arranged.