Winston’s smile lights up Bucs’ world
Jameis Winston meets with Bucs general manager Jason Licht during his visit to One Buc Place on Tuesday. PHOTO FROM TWITTER MARTIN FENNELLYPublished: March 5, 2015 TAMPA — He came, he saw, he smiled.Jameis Winston was among us Tuesday, in the city he could one day own, for a pre-draft visit to the Buccaneers facility. He carried a message of peace and understanding to people from all walks of life and mock drafts.“I just want them to know that I am human and I’m a great person,” Winston told the Bucs website, which landed an exclusive interview. “This smile isn’t fake. I just want to show them that I can be the face of this franchise one day. Actions speak louder than words.”We’ve obtained a partial account of Winston’s day and his summit talks with the Glazers.5:43 a.m.: Jameis wakes up, puts pants on two legs at time.6:49 a.m.: Paper route concluded, Jameis boards private plane for Tampa.7:43 a.m.: Plane hits turbulence, pilot fights controls. Jameis, smile enter cabin. Take over. Smooth landing.8:09 a.m.: Jameis met at airport by Lovie Smith, who drives him to One Buccaneer Place. Jameis looks out window as car passes Steinbrenner Field, mentions baseball, Bo Jackson. Lovie yells, “Hey, who’s hungry?”8:30 a.m.: Car arrives at One Buc. Jameis hears meowing. Rescues kitten from tree.8:45 a.m.: Bucs GM Jason Licht takes Jameis on facility tour. Jameis looks at statues in lobby from Bucs’ 2002 Super Bowl season, asks about coach Jon Gruden. Lovie yells, “Hey, who’s hungry?”9:40 a.m.: Battery of medical exams conclude. Doctors find Jameis’ throwing shoulder fine, also inform Bucs, “That smile — it is real.”10:00 a.m.: Bucs put Jameis on stop watch, testing whether he can get to a team photo on time.10:20 a.m.: Jameis’ smile benches 420 pounds.10:40 a.m.: Jameis hears meowing. Rescues Ed Glazer from tree.11:00 a.m.: Jameis lays wreath at Bucs Tomb of the Unknown Pass Protection, pauses, reflects.11:44 a.m.: Glitch arises: Derrick Brooks balks at signing adoption papers.11:50 a.m.: Jameis sells 104 boxes of Thin Mints Girl Scout cookies to Glazers.12:25 p.m.: Jameis takes second tour of Bucs’ locker room, asks about “that MRSA thing.” Jason Licht yells, “Hey, who’s hungry?”12:59 p.m.: Bucs’ concern grows when Jameis asks if team dining room tables are good for standing on.1:20 p.m.: Jameis reads letter to Glazers apologizing for any past mistakes. Glazers ask why letter is hand-written by Alex Rodriguez.1:45 p.m.: Smile meets, wows area dentists.2:00 p.m.: Jameis goes to Tampa aquarium, is forgiven by crabs.3:00 p.m.: Marcus Mariota calls Bucs from airport, says he is waiting at baggage claim, is someone coming to get him?3:45 p.m.: Smile signs deal with TECO to light up rooms.4:15 p.m.: Jameis returns from St. Petersburg, announces stadium deal between city, Rays.5:20 p.m.: Jameis asks Bucs how many more “Ahoy, mateys!” phone calls he has to make to former season-ticket holders. Glazers yell, “Hey, who’s hungry?”7:16 p.m.: Mariota calls from airport, again, says he’s at Carousel 6, is someone coming or should he just split cab to facility with Adrian Peterson?
