Jameis Winston Hopes to 'Bring Joy' to Giants
Jameis Winston Hopes to 'Bring Joy' to Giants originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Social media exploded when the New York Giants signed quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million deal. It wasn't because of his talent or his impact on the NFL draft plans. Rather, Winston has become one of the most beloved side characters in a sport dominated by superstars.
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Winston isn't piloting any team to a Super Bowl. If he's starting, New York isn't likely to compete for a playoff spot. But through his pregame speeches, in-game theatrics and postgame comments, he has ascended to a unique kind of football fame.
For now, Winston is focused on trying to bring joy to the Giants in the short and long term, lending a helping hand and mentoring rookie Jaxson Dart.
'Well, I'm grateful that I can bring joy to the game,' Winston said, via team transcript. 'I'm grateful that through my hard work and effort on the football field that people notice me by my character. That's just something that comes with it. This is the greatest game in the world. …
"But I also know that when I first came into this league, that I wasn't looked upon as a man of high character, I wasn't looked upon as that team-oriented guy. I had this perception of me that just wasn't true. Through my course of diving in and growing every single year, I've proven myself to be who I am.'
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Winston is viewed as the league's comic relief, always good for a viral clip. That wasn't always the case.
The 2015 No. 1 pick was accused of sexual assault in 2013. In 2017, the NFL investigated Winston for an allegation of groping his Uber driver. He was subsequently suspended for three games in 2018.
Winston's personality has overshadowed his checkered past. The league is happy to celebrate him and Fox Sports even hired him to do Super Bowl coverage. Few would be surprised if he parlayed that into a post-playing media gig.
That won't earn him the goodwill of every fan, but it's clear he has the respect of his teammates. At each stop, Winston has earned praise, regardless of his on-field inconsistencies. He has found Giants head coach Brian Daboll's trust, too.
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'Everybody's different,' Daboll said. 'The most important thing is knowing what to do and then going out there and being able to do it. But he's certainly a fun guy to be around, in the meetings, outside. He takes his craft seriously. Obviously, a high pick, the highest pick you could have and been around the block a little bit, a couple different places. He's been a good addition.'
Winston is the league's most volatile passer. He's also a quality voice for Dart to lean on and aptly suited for his role in New York. It's hard to predict how Winston will perform if he sees time, and it's nearly impossible to know what is coming out of his mouth next. The only thing clear about Winston is that he isn't changing anytime soon.
'I think that is the greatest compliment that someone can give you is that you're truly who you are, despite the character or the giggles," Winston said. "I think if you ask any of my teammates, any of my coaches who I am, they would say, 'Jameis is truly who he is.''
Related: Giants Veterans Share Mutual Respect
Related: Jaxson Dart Reveals Surprising Take on Giants Teammate
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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