Winston Accusations Warrant Patience

Oct 19, 2013; Clemson, SC, USA;Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) celebrates with teammates following against the Clemson Tigers the game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Seminoles won 51-14. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

With respect to the blogosphere brethren, some basic advice seems useful while considering the sexual assault complaint levied at Florida State QB Jameis Winston.

Chill.

News broke Wednesday night that Winston, possibly the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, is part of an ongoing investigation from a sexual assault committed in December 2012.

ESPN reported that Winston’s lawyer, Tim Jansen, said the Tallahassee Police Department contacted Winston in February. Charges haven’t been filed and the star quarterback hasn’t been interviewed for the crime.

The case seemingly gained national attention because state attorney William Meggs didn’t receive an incident report until Wednesday. Meggs also said he didn’t know about it until Wednesday, then said bluntly that questioners would have to ask the police department why.

Said incident report, ESPN reported, does not mention Winston by name. It also lists the offender as being between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11. Winston is listed at 6-foot-4.

That is no reason to assume innocence, but there is little that has been reported thus far to presume guilt, either.

Writing to implore patience isn’t a defense of Winston. It isn’t to say there’s nothing to see here.

However, any number of details remain unknown at this time – both in the media and, potentially, within the investigation.

Florida State fans, there is no reason to assume the sky is falling. Fans wanting to see Winston and/or the Seminoles fall, there is zero reason to assume his guilt.

Maybe, just for once, we as a sports society should attempt to practice patience.

We’re always so quick to rush to judgment. Why not allow this process to play out? Will it hurt anybody not involved directly with Winston or the accuser to simply allow people to live their lives as the professionals sort out this situation?