Bucs QB Jameis Winston suspended three games and APOLOGIZES to Uber driver who accused him of groping her - and claims he has 'eliminated alcohol' from his life

The NFL suspended Winston for the first three games of the 2018 season after it was revealed in November he was accused of groping an Uber driver in 2016
Winston acknowledged wrongdoing, but emphasized that the experience has encouraged him to quit drinking: 'I have to hold myself to a higher standard'
In 2013, Winston was accused of sexual assault before ultimately reaching a settlement with his accuser. He was also charged with stealing crab legs in 2014
Winston is in the fourth year of a four-year, $25 million contract
As a result of the suspension, Winston will forfeit $124,000 of his $705,000 base salary next season. Next year, Winston is due for a raise to $20.9 million
The NFL has taken criticism for its lax punishment of players accused of sexual violence. For comparison, Marijuana suspensions often last four games

By Alex Raskin Sports News Editor For Dailymail.com and Reuters

Published: 19:37 BST, 28 June 2018 | Updated: 22:10 BST, 28 June 2018

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The NFL has suspended Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston for the first three games of the 2018 season after it was revealed in November that he was accused of groping a female Uber driver in 2016.

According to a the NFL's press release, the suspension is for violating the league's personal conduct policy: 'The [league] investigation had concluded that Winston violated the Personal Conduct Policy by touching the driver in an inappropriate and sexual manner without her consent and that disciplinary action was necessary and appropriate.'

Winston, 24, will not appeal the suspension. He will be required to obtain a clinical evaluation and fully cooperate with any recommended therapeutic program.

Winston is currently in the fourth year of a four-year, $25 million contact, and is eligible to receiver a $20.9 million raise for next year. The suspension will cost him $124,000 of his $705,000 base salary for the 2018 season.

In a statement, Winston acknowledged wrongdoing, emphasizing that the experience has encouraged him to quit drinking. He had previously denied groping the driver.

The NFL has suspended Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston for the first three games of 2018 after it was revealed that he was accused of groping a female Uber driver in 2016

'The NFL informed me today that I will be suspended for the first three games of the season,' Winston's statement read. '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,' he continued. '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.

Winson has not been found guilty of a crime, but that isn't necessarily a determining factor in the NFL.

The accuser, known only as Kate, told BuzzFeed News that she was driving Winston back from a party in Scottsdale, Arizona, at 2am on March 13, 2016, when he 'reached over' and grabbed her.

A former Heisman winner at Florida State, Winston has had a tumultuous time in the spotlight. In 2013, Winston was accused of sexual assault before ultimately reaching a settlement with his accuser. He was also charged with stealing crab legs from a Florida Publix in 2014

In the immediate aftermath of Kate’s alleged interaction with Winston, she filed a report with Uber claiming that the NFL player ‘put his fingers’ on her crotch and declared that he was ‘NOT safe for other drivers.’

'We stopped to get food at a Mexican drive thru,' she wrote. 'While we were stopped, out of the clear blue, this rider reached over and put his fingers on my crotch. It wasn't accidental, and it was only for a very brief moment.

'It wasn't my stomach or my thigh, it was my crotch and I want to be clear about that,' she continued. 'I was totally shocked, and I shook him off and just said, what's up with that?

'Looking back I sincerely wish I would have kicked him out but he is apparently a big athlete in the nfl and he's very physically imposing, and I was afraid that I'd make him more angry. The rest of the ride proceeded without incident. He is NOT safe for other female drivers.'

At the time, Winston denied the allegations and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby later claimed to be in the backseat of the car with Winston, adding that nothing occurred.

However, former Vanderbilt player Brandon Banks has since come forward to say that he was with Darby and Winston during an Uber ride earlier that night - a different trip than the one referenced in the allegations against Winston.

At the time, Winston denied the allegations and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby (left) later claimed to be in the backseat of the car with Winston, adding that nothing occurred. However, former Vanderbilt player Brandon Banks (right) has since come forward to say that he was with Darby and Winston during an Uber ride earlier that night - a different trip than the one referenced in the allegations against Winston. Banks is now serving 15 years in prison after being convicted in 2017 of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery

The driver, a woman named Kate, said Winston was in the front passenger seat of her Uber car waiting to pick up food from Los Betos restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona (pictured) when he reached out and touched her crotch, keeping his fingers there 3-5 seconds

According to ESPN, Banks said Winston was the only passenger when he allegedly groped the Uber driver.

Banks is now serving 15 years in prison after being convicted in 2017 of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery.

Winston was a Heisman Trophy winner at Florida State, where he was accused of sexual assault in 2013. Winston denied the allegations and said he and Erica Kinsman – the accuser who later identified herself - engaged in consensual sex.

He was never charged for the crime, but settled a civil lawsuit with Kinsman in 2016. Earlier that year, Florida State agreed to pay Kinsman $950,000 as part of a Title IX lawsuit she filed against the university.

In 2014, Winston was ordered to do 20 hours of community service after being caught stealing crab legs from a Tallahassee grocery store.

Winston was the first-overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, and has since been selected to one Pro Bowl while throwing 69 touchdown passes and 44 interceptions.

The NFL has taken criticism for its lax punishment of players accused of sexual violence. For comparison, Marijuana suspensions often last four games. A second positive test can result in a 10-game suspension.

In 2012, Erica Kinsman (right) publicly accused Winston of raping her while the two were students at Florida State University. Winston was never criminally charged but settled a civil lawsuit last year. Florida State agreed to pay Kinsman $950,000 as part of a Title IX lawsuit