Over the past couple of days, multiple media outlets and fans on social media have clamored about how Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston has admittedly tuned out his coaches. Notably former HC Dirk Koetter. This assertion comes from an interview with JoeBucsFan.com where Winston said the following,
“I had to look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘Hey Jameis, what do you have to do?’ Jameis explained. “And that was simply, ‘Get back to playing Jameis Winston football. Be yourself. Have that swag. Don’t try to be something that a coach is trying to get you to be.’ You know, you gotta go and be you.”
To be fair this could lead some to believe that he and Koetter’s relationship wasn’t on the best of terms. Given that Koetter chose not to start Winston multiple times. Which led to a deterioration of the relationship. And as a result a “tuning out” or disregarding of his head coach. Context means everything though, and Winston cleared up the matter pretty quickly though yesterday on Twitter stating,
I have the up most respect and very grateful for ALL my coaches. Looking in the mirror means focusing myself on how I can control what I can control. A football team is family no matter the circumstances!
— Jameis Winston (@Jaboowins) February 14, 2019
Simply put, Winston was trying to convey that he was to trying to focus on what he can control, and that is how he executes his play on the field. Could he of stated it better the first time around? Maybe, but I think what we are looking at here is a vague enough excerpt from a polarizing player that people took and ran with.
Only Winston truly know if he tunes out his coaches, and for what it’s worth Winston set the record straight that he respects his coaches and considers them family. Translation: “That’s not what I meant bro.”
Do you think Winston tunes out Koetter? Leave a comment below!
