Former Florida State Seminoles quarterback and 2015 NFL Draft hopeful Jameis Winston has been sued by the woman who accused him of sexual assault in December 2012, according to a report from Matt Baker of The Tampa Bay Times.
Erica Kinsman, a former Florida State student, filed a civil lawsuit Thursday in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial District over claims of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and "intentional infliction of emotional distress arising out of forcible rape," according to Baker.
John Clune, Klinsman's attorney, also released this statement, per the report.
"Today, a very brave young woman filed her lawsuit against Jameis Winston for the sexual battery that she reported to police in December 2012. Over the past two years, this survivor of sexual violence has had to endure a delinquent police investigation, a hostile FSU athletic department, and Mr. Winston's bullying lawyer. But the more these forces sought to silence her, the more determined she has become to step forward and hold Jameis Winston accountable for his actions. With the support of her family, she is prepared for this fight and for the counterclaims and the smear campaigns that will surely follow.
"We know that quite often the public is quick to support the cause against sexual violence but at times can be slow to support the individual women who come forward. We hope that this case becomes a model for understanding what real sexual assault cases look like as well as the barriers that survivors face in coming forward. Perhaps more than anything, Erica hopes to show other survivors the strength and empowerment that can come from refusing to stay silent no matter what forces are against you.
"Jameis Winston in contrast has proven time and time again to be an entitled athlete who believes he can take what he wants. He took something here that he was not entitled to and he hurt someone. There are consequences for that behavior and since others have refused to hold him accountable, our client will."
Winston is the presumptive first-overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 NFL Draft later this month. It's possible the Buccaneers and the 31 other NFL franchises were already aware of the impending lawsuit, but it still likely does not bode well for his NFL career prospects or chances of being drafted highly.
