New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston was in attendance for the inaugural Kenny Shaw RAW Football Camp in Florida this past weekend, appearing alongside Dak Prescott, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Matt Milano, Kelvin Benjamin and a host of other current and past NFL talents.
You might remember Winston was left for dead during last year’s free agency, finally joining New Orleans as a backup in late April. When Drew Brees suffered broken ribs last season, many assumed Winston, a former Heisman winner and National Champion at Florida State, would take over his starting role. But instead, Sean Payton inexplicably assigned QB1 responsibilities to glorified gadget player Taysom Hill, the latest disappointment in a career full of setbacks for Winston, who many have characterized as a turnover-prone underachiever.
Addressing a group of players assembled at Dr. Philips High School in Orlando, Winston reflected on his difficult past few years, trying to overcome some of the frustrating narratives and perceptions that have come to define his career. “I went from being the No. 1 draft pick to everybody laughing at me,” said Winston, who led the NFL with 30 interceptions in 2019, his final season as Tampa Bay’s starter. “But guess what? I’m about that business. I’m outworking everybody at my position. I’m doing things every single day, committed to the dream.”
Winston’s turbulent career has been full of obstacles, including demotions, injuries and a suspension for violating the league’s code of conduct (he was alleged to have groped a female Uber driver in 2016). But Winston remains confident that his best years are still ahead. “You’re going to have challenging days. But I encourage each and every one of you to have faith and belief in yourself above any coach, above any teammate, above any friend that you have,” instructed Winston. “At the end of the day, only God and yourself know what you’re really going through.”
The 27-year-old stressed the importance of hard work and determination, but also encouraged players to make the most of their experience and have fun, reminding them that football is a “kid’s game that men play.” Most see Winston, whose 5,109 passing yards in 2019 were the eighth-most in league history, as the likely heir to Brees’ QB throne in New Orleans, though for that to happen, he'll have to beat out Hill in training camp this summer.
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