Jameis Winston speaks out about alleged Scottsdale groping incident

PHOENIX — Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston said he has “grown and learned” from the situation involving an alleged groping incident that occurred in Scottsdale two years ago.

Winston spoke out about the incident with reporters after the team’s training camp on Thursday. It was the first time he spoke about it since he was suspended for the first three games of the season.

“I’m just focusing on moving forward. That’s all I can do,” Winston told reporters.

“I’ve grown and learned from this situation. It’s a learning experience. I worked hard in this community since I got here and I’m going to continue to work hard on and off the field.”

Video: Jameis Winston not wanting to discuss specifics of what happened in Arizona, wants to move forward. pic.twitter.com/ZlkOMXH4SN

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 26, 2018

According to the NFL Network, Winston also said he understood that fans were disappointed in his actions and admitted that he “should have never put myself in that situation.

“I tell the fans to continue to support this team, continue to support me because I’ve been here,” Winston said.

“My main goal as a leader is to be a huge advocate in the community and I’ve done that and I want to continue to do that.”

Winston will miss games against the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, but was still able to participate in practices and preseason action.

Winston was accused of grabbing the crotch of a female Uber driver after she picked him up in Old Town Scottsdale in 2016.

The woman, identified only as Kate, told BuzzFeed News last year that Winston immediately started behaving “poorly” once he was in the vehicle, including yelling homophobic slurs at passersby.

Winston then asked Kate if they could stop for food. While the pair were in the drive-thru line at Los Betos Mexican Food, an eatery about a mile from Old Town, Winston allegedly grabbed the woman’s crotch and held his hand there for about five seconds.

Kate told BuzzFeed News that he only took his hand away when she “looked up in shock and said, ‘What’s up with that?’” She said that she was “frozen” and that Winston was “very physically imposing.”

Winston has denied the allegations, tweeting at the time that the driver was “confused” about who allegedly assaulted her.

“The accusation is false, and given the nature of the allegation and increased awareness and consideration of these types of matters, I am addressing this false report immediately,” Winston said.

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