The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without their quarterback for the first three games of the regular season due to Jameis Winston inappropriately touching a female Uber driver. According to the NFL, Winston touched the victim in a “sexual manner without her consent” back in 2016.

Photo from SI.com

After Winston denied the allegations for several months, he gave this apology statement:

“The NFL informed me today that I will be suspended for the first three games of the season.

First and foremost, I would like to say I’m sorry to the Uber driver for the position I put you in. It is uncharacteristic of me and I genuinely apologize. In the past 2 1/2 years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn, including the fact that I have eliminated alcohol from my life.

I know I have to hold myself to a higher standard on and off the field and that I have a responsibility to my family, community, and teammates to live above the platform with which God has blessed me. I apologize to my teammates, the Buccaneers organization and fans for letting them down and for not being able to be out there for the first three games of the season. Although I am disappointed in the NFL’s decision, I understand the NFL’s process, and I embrace this as an opportunity to take advantage of the resources available to help me achieve the goals that I have for myself.

I now look forward to putting this behind me and I will continue to work hard every day to be a positive influence in my community and be the best person, teammate and leader I can be.”

Photo from Getty Images

As many know, this is not Winton’s first run in with the law. Who can forget about the bombshell case of alleged sexual assault against fellow Florida State student Erica Kinsman. What about the time that Winston stole soda from Burger King? How about when he stole crab legs from the grocery store?

My question to you is:  Knowing the prior run ins with the law, do you think that Winston should have been given a harsher punishment or a weaker punishment? Comment down below and I will reply to every comment that I can. Take care sports fans!