Thirty-nine percent of respondents in Leon County “admire” Jameis Winston, while 52 percent do not, according to polling data. Among FSU alums, those numbers are 38 percent and 54 percent, respectively. http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/how-polarizing-is-jameis-winston/2220719 Matt Baker, Times Staff WriterTuesday, March 10, 2015 10:30amMore than 100 pages of court documents were entered Monday night in the Title IX lawsuit against Florida State University brought by Jameis Winston’s accuser, Erica Kinsman. You can read more about that here.But this is a Bucs blog, so let’s skip the legal mumbo jumbo and how it pertains to the civil suit, FSU or Kinsman. Let’s focus on the star quarterback and likely target with the No. 1 overall pick. Winston, to be clear, has not been sued in this case, hasn’t been arrested and has maintained his innocence.Buried in the legal papers, you’ll find some polling data that answers a question the Glazer family might be interested in: What is the public opinion of Jameis Winston?First, bear with me for some disclaimers. Kinsman’s representatives hired a firm, Public Policy Polling, for the normal rate of $5,000 to research opinions in northern Florida, where FSU would like the trial to be held. Kinsman’s side wants it to stay in central Florida, arguing that most people in Tallahassee have already formed opinions (among other reasons). There were 764 respondents from Leon County and the surrounding area, and the margin of error is plus/minus 3.6 percent.Still here? Good. With that out of the way, the numbers:62 percent are “proud” of Winston’s Heisman Trophy, while 34 percent are not. Compare that to the 70 percent who are “proud” of FSU’s national title, and the 22 percent who are not.39 percent “admire” Winston, while 52 percent do not. Among FSU alums, those numbers are 38 percent and 54 percent, respectively.54 percent have an opinion about whether Winston committed rape. Of those with an opinion, 67 percent think he did not commit rape. FSU alums with opinions are even more adamant, with 75 percent saying he did not commit that crime.55 percent strongly/somewhat agree that Winston has “brought credit” to FSU; 41 percent strongly/somewhat disagree that he has done so. Among FSU alums, those figures are 53 percent and 44 percent, respectively.So what does this mean? I’ll let you reach your own conclusions. But I found these statistics worth sharing as the Bucs determine whether to make Winston the No. 1 overall pick.
