Jameis Winston sought advice from Johnny Manziel on dealing with off-field distractions

Jameis Winston and Johnny Manziel have some very obvious things in common. They are both college quarterbacks who won the Heisman Trophy, but there is more to it than that. Like Manziel, Winston has had to deal with a lot of distractions that have nothing to do with the game of football.

On Friday, Winston told reporters that he sought advice from Manziel when the two met during awards week in December.

“He just told me to stay myself,” Winston said, via Graham Watson of Dr. Saturday. “When you think about the things that Johnny went through and then you see the things that he does on the field, it makes you forget about the things that’s happening, and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to make football be my getaway, and that’s what he’s done a great job of.”

For what it’s worth, the one big distraction Winston had to deal with was a lot more serious than stuff like Manziel flashing money at the casino and reportedly being sent home from a passing camp because he was out drinking the night before. Winston was accused of rape, though no charges were filed against him following an investigation.

“One thing that Johnny did is he set a standard for himself. He’s more focused on himself, more focused on the things that he do,” Winston said. “That’s why the guy went 30 for 38 against Duke and just ripped them apart and basically won that game by himself. That’s why every day I come out here to play with my Seminoles because I know we’re going to go out there and fight, we’re going to control our own destiny and we don’t care about nothing else that’s going on outside of this football team.”

Winston’s play never really slipped during the rape investigation, so he has obviously done a tremendous job of remaining focused. If Manziel is part of the reason for that, I guess Seminoles fans should be grateful.

Photo via Instagram/Johnny Manziel