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Darren Rovell, ESPN's resident boy scout, released an article Tuesday concerning the autograph business, Florida State and Jameis Winston. Here's what you need to know.
Most importantly: There is still no allegation by anyone with knowledge that Winston was paid for anything. Running back Devonta Freeman did a signing, for money, after his career at FSU was over and that is not against any NCAA rules.
There are, however, questions from those in the industry about the authentications done by JSA, authenticator who authenticated thousands of autographs allegedly done by Winston.
Rovell had repeatedly cited JSA's longstanding record as a leader in the autograph authentication industry. But JSA, wouldn't tell Rovell information about who submitted them for authentication, presumably because it is a private business, with private clients, and doesn't work for ESPN.
Now, Rovell is speaking to sources who are questioning the authenticity of the signings. Some of these people may be in competition with JSA and could stand to benefit from JSA's reputation taking a hit. In any case, Rovell's sources indicate that there are major questions about whether these autographs were done by Winston. Rovell does not indicate whether the focus of his story shifted from Winston, to the legitimacy of the authentications because the authenticator would not help him further his look into Winston.
Winston is known to have signed tens of thousands of autographs before and after baseball games during his time in Tallahassee.
The sources did identify the name of the man who they believe provided the signatures, and with whom Freeman allegedly signed. But Rovell didn't find anyone who witnessed Winston sign anything.
To recap: Still no allegation from anyone with knowledge that Jameis Winston was paid for autographs; still nobody who has come forward stating that they personally witnessed Winston performing a mass signing; and now, serious questions about whether the signatures are even legit.
In October, FSU released a statement about looking into the autographs.
Our Athletics Department compliance staff is reviewing issues raised by the media related to autographed items attributed to Jameis Winston. At this time we have no information indicating that he accepted payment for items reported to bear his signature, thereby compromising his athletics eligibility. The fact that items appear on an Internet site bearing the signature of a student-athlete does not singularly determine a violation of NCAA rules.
We have kept both the conference office and the NCAA apprised of our efforts on this matter. The University takes very seriously any and all allegations of potential rules violations and processes them in accordance with ACC and NCAA policies and procedures.
