Florida State is reportedly looking into the possibility that quarterback Jameis Winston may have been paid to sign autographs. While Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said Saturday that he does not believe Winston signed any memorabilia for money, ESPN reports that FSU’s athletic compliance department is investigating how so many Winston autographs were authenticated by a single company.
The possible link between Winston and James Spence Authentication — the same company that authenticated items Georgia running back Todd Gurley allegedly signed — arose on Friday. Fisher reportedly asked Winston after Saturday’s win over Syracuse if the junior quarterback signed autographs for money, and Winston assured his coach that he had not.
If Winston didn’t sign, it sounds like we’re dealing with one heck of a coincidence. A search on JSA’s website uncovered more than 340 certified Winston autographs. JSA authenticates items in the order that they are received, and ESPN notes that the firm authenticated 76 of the same Florida State logo footballs, 70 mini helmets, 53 jerseys, 38 photos, 18 footballs and 11 baseballs that were signed by Winston. The footballs were authenticated in order with serial numbers J65886 through J65962. The same is true of all of the other items, which had consecutive serial numbers.
Martin Buckley, co-owner of Palm Beach Autographs in Florida, told ESPN that the items that were signed by Winston and Gurley and authenticated by JSA look like they came from an autograph signing.
“The items that I’ve seen signed by Todd Gurley and Jameis Winston, which have been authenticated by JSA, look like they came from an autograph signing,” Buckley explained. “This is based on the items, themselves, being similar, the quantities of those items, the consistency of signature as well as similar spots in which they signed.”
After Saturday’s game, Fisher said that kids “sign things all the time” and are exploited. What Buckley was saying — and what common sense will tell you — is that it looks like the items that were authenticated by JSA were signed in bulk at a sitting. Would Winston have signed that many items at once for free?
If FSU finds reason to believe Winston was paid to sign memorabilia, you can add that to the growing list of reasons the Heisman Trophy winner appears to be falling off NFL draft boards.
