Jameis Winston has issued a written statement, arguing he has been falsely accused of rape.
The Florida State University football player submitted that statement during his code of conduct hearing this week.
The statement marked the first time the FSU quarterback has recounted his view of a sexual encounter with a former FSU student in December 2012. Winston maintains the encounter was consensual.
“Rape is a vicious crime,” Winston said in the statement. “The only thing as vicious as rape is falsely accusing someone of rape. [The woman] and her lawyers have falsely accused me, threatened to sue me, demanded $7 million from me, engaged in a destructive media campaign against me, and manipulated this process to the point that my rights have and will continue to be severely compromised.
“[The woman] and her lawyers’ public campaign to vilify me guarantees that her false allegations will follow me for the rest of my life.”
Winston was investigated for sexual assault, but the state attorney’s office – citing insufficient evidence and an inefficient police investigation – declined to press charges against Winston in December 2013.