Jameis Winston downplays shoulder news, speaks boldly at NFL Combine

Jameis Winston’s message was clear and concise during his much-anticipated media session at the NFL Combine.

The Florida State quarterback opened with a statement, acknowledging his mistakes and various troubles away from the football field.

“Right now it’s about me moving forward and earning the trust of all these 32 teams out there,” Winston said. “By saying that, I’m a competitor and know what I’m doing. So I will be throwing tomorrow at the combine.”

Winston then addressed several noteworthy topics, from a report on an injury to his throwing shoulder to being “fat” to his desire to be the face of a franchise.

Here are some highlights from his 11-minute press conference on Friday:

Winston on a report about having weakness in his throwing shoulder:

“They didn’t spend any time on my shoulder today. I had an MRI just like everyone else. I’ve been playing football since I was 4 years old and my shoulder has been fine. .I’ve got the same shoulder I’ve had the past two years at Florida State.”

Winston on earning trust from NFL teams:

“My actions. I’ve got to do everything by my actions. It’s not time to explain with what I’m going to do. But when I do get to a city, get to a team, I’m planning on getting involved with the community and creating a positive image and putting everything else behind me.

“My job as a quarterback is to be the face of a franchise, any franchise that is. My job is to win games, hopefully win Super Bowls. I know that’s a big responsibility. This is a job up here. Whatever is behind me is behind me. This is a new phase.”

Winston on if baseball career is over:

“Right now I’m just focusing on football. I’m a quarterback. This actually the first season I’ve ever had an offseason to focus on just being a quarterback. I’ve been playing baseball. I was a pitcher. That might be why the shoulder thing. This is my first time having an offseason and I love it. I love putting everything to baseball. I’m a quarterback.”

Winston on comparisons to Oregon’s Marcus Mariota:

“I’m not into no competition. I’m here to win games and be the face of someone’s franchise. This is not a competion between me and Mariota. One thing about me, I plan on winning the Super Bowl in the next year, so it’s going be Jameis versus Peyton Manning, Jameis versus Tom Brady.”

Winston on people thinking that he’s overweight:

“A lot of people thought I was fat. I’m here proving everybody wrong. I look good and I know it.”

Winston on decision to leave for NFL:

“It was a hard decision, especially losing to the Ducks. I hate to lose. But at the end of the day, it’s about the family. One thing else, there’s four offensive linemen I had at this combine, Nick O’Leary and Rashad Greene.If you were playing quarterback at Florida State, what would you do?”

Winston on if playing in a pro-style offense will translate in the NFL:

“Of course, but I don’t even know how good I really am yet. This is the first offseason that I’ve had since I was 4 years old. .This is the first time I’ve ever played quarterback all year. I’m happy to just be a quarterback right now.”

Winston on importance of being taken No. 1 overall:

“It’s important to me because of how hard I’ve worked. It would be a privilege to get accepted by the Glazer family in Tampa. I know I have to gain their trust, I know I have to earn a lot of people’s trust. Whatever happens, this is just my opportunity and I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity. This is what I dream of. I dream of being a Hall of Famer one day. I dream of being the face of someone’s franchise.”