Jimbo Fisher comments on the Jameis Winston case, NCAA athlete eligibility

Jameis Winston missed three Florida State baseball games for his shoplifting citation in April. (Chris O'Meara/AP) When Florida State quarterback Jameis

Jameis Winston missed three Florida State baseball games for his shoplifting citation in April. (Chris O'Meara/AP)

Jimbo Fisher said Jameis Winston would not face any punishment or be suspended from any football activities from Crabgate

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) May 12, 2014

When Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston was cited last month for shoplifting, he received no football-related punishment, instead serving a suspension from the baseball team, for which he plays outfield and pitches, while completing 20-hours of community service. Seminoles football coach Jimbo Fisher reiterated at the ACC spring meetings Monday that no football punishment was forthcoming, saying Winston would not be suspended from any football activities.

The Heisman-winning quarterback was issued a citation in April for shoplifting more than $30 worth of crawfish and crab legs from a local grocery store. Winston’s incident, the latest in a series of transgressions, has served as fodder for jokes and photoshop masterpieces, and opposing student sections will have plenty of ammunition when their teams host Florida State this fall. But the application of punishment – or the lack thereof from a football standpoint – has and will continue to generate criticism.

Winston led Florida State to an undefeated season and a national championship last season. The Seminoles open their 2014 campaign on Aug. 30 against Oklahoma State.

Also on Monday, Fisher, citing safety concerns, proposed adding a year to athletes' eligibility. From USA Today:

"For some reason, it's never grabbed ahold. I don't know the downside," Fisher said Monday after the ACC's football coaches held a preliminary meeting with athletics directors at the beachfront Ritz-Carlton resort northeast of Jacksonville. "Our coaches kind of like it. There aren't many who are against it, I'll tell you that."

Fisher's proposal comes amid potential changes to the NCAA governance structure and mounting criticism against the governing body. Current NCAA rules dictate athletes have four years of eligibility that can be completed in five seasons.

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