Eagles Player Says Groping Allegations Against Winston Untrue

TAMPA, FL - Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby says allegations that Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston groped a female Uber driver in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2016 are untrue. Darby released a statement saying he and another friend were in the car with Winston. The Uber driver has said that Winston was in the car alone with her.

Here is Darby's statement: "I felt the need to come forward and clarify some inaccurate accounts of the evening of March 13, 2016 when myself, a friend and Jameis Winston took an Uber ride in Arizona. There were three of us in the car, not just one as has been reported. Myself and Jameis were in the backseat. I am confident that nothing inappropriate in nature happened in the car that evening and Jameis did not have any physical contact with the Uber driver. The accusations are just not true."

Darby was a college teammate with Winston at Florida State University.

The NFL is investigating the allegation that Winston groped the female Uber driver, BuzzFeed News reported. A letter was sent from the NFL’s special counsel for investigations to the Uber driver on Thursday.

“The League has been informed that you may have been the victim of such a violation perpetrated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Jameis Winston. The league takes allegations of this nature very seriously and has opened an investigation into this matter,” the letter read. The driver is accusing Winston of grabbing her crotch as he sat next to her in the car.

The Uber driver said she picked up Winston in downtown Scottsdale about 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2016.
Winston sat in the front passenger seat and he was the only passenger, according to the driver. She filed a complaint with Uber soon after the ride, BuzzFeed reported.

An Uber spokesperson said Friday that Winston was permanently removed from the app shortly after the company learned of the incident.

Winston’s representative, Russ Spielman, issued a statement denying the allegations: "We categorically deny this allegation. It is our understanding the Uber driver was unable to identify the specific individual who allegedly touched this driver inappropriately. The only reason his name is being dragged into this is that his Uber account was used to call the ride."

Winston also issued a statement Friday:

"A news organization has published a story about me regarding an alleged incident involving a female Uber driver from approximately two years ago. The story falsely accuses me of making inappropriate contact with this driver. I believe the driver was confused as to the number of passengers in the car and who was sitting next to her. The accusation is false, and given the nature of the allegation and increased awareness and consideration of these types of matters, I am addressing this false report immediately. At the time of the alleged incident, I denied the allegations to Uber, yet they still decided to suspend my account.

"I am supportive of the national movement to raise awareness and develop better responses to the concerns of parties who find themselves in these types of situations, but this accusation is false. While I am certain that I did not make any inappropriate contact, I don't want to engage in a battle with the driver and I regret if my demeanor or presence made her uncomfortable in any way."

The Bucs also released a statement Friday:

“We are in the process of obtaining further information regarding today’s media report. We take these matters seriously and are fully supportive of the investigation that is being conducted by the NFL.”

While a Florida State student, Winston was accused of raping a female student. The woman sued Florida State and reached a settlement that would pay her $950,000. Winston was never charged in the incident.

Winston has a shoulder injury and will not play Sunday.

Read the full BuzzFeed News story here.

Image via Brian Blanco/Getty Images