TAMPA, Fla. – The NFL is investigating a claim that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston groped an Uber driver last year, according to Buzzfeed.
The report said that a league investigator sent a letter to the accuser, confirming that the NFL is looking into the issue.
The driver said she picked up Winston in Arizona in March 2016 and he grabbed her crotch as they waited in the drive-through lane of a Mexican restaurant.
The driver filed a formal complaint with Uber, which has banned Winston, according to Sports Illustrated.
ESPN reporter Adam Schefter later posted a response from Winston.
“A news organization has published a story about me regarding an alleged incident involving a female Uber driver from approximately two years ago. The story falsely accuses me of making inappropriate contact with this driver. I believe the driver was confused as to the number of passengers in the car and who was sitting next to her. The accusation is false, and given the nature of the allegation and increased awareness and consideration of these types of matters, I am addressing this false report immediately. At the time of the alleged incident, I denied the allegations to Uber, yet they still decided to suspend my account.
"I am supportive of the national movement to raise awareness and develop better responses to the concerns of parties who find themselves in these types of situations, but this accusation is false. While I am certain that I did not make any inappropriate contact, I don't want to engage in a battle with the driver and I regret if my demeanor or presence made her uncomfortable in any way."
While a student at Florida State, Winston was accused of raping a female student. Erica Kinsman sued FSU and reached a settlement of $950,000.
Winston was also suspended for a game in 2014 for shouting a sexual obscenity in the FSU school union.