By Joshua Huff, sports editor
HUEYTOWN – Current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and 2012 Hueytown High School graduate Jameis Winston donated $100,000 to his former high school and to the Hueytown Middle School athletic departments.
“It’s a blessing that I’m able to give back to the community that has given so much to me. I hope this donation will help encourage kids to excel academically and athletically,” Winston said in a statement.
As a member of the Hueytown football and baseball teams, Winston was named as a 2012 Gatorade National Player of the Year and was drafted in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of high school. He instead opted to sign with Florida State and proceeded to etch his name into Seminoles lore after he led the team to the 2013 BCS National Championship.
He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Since then, Winston has been a lightning rod for criticism, on and off the field. In his career, Winston has played in 72 games, has thrown for 19,737 yards with 121 touchdown passes with 88 interceptions. This season, the gunslinger threw 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. The Buccaneers are 28-42 with him starting under center.
It should also be noted that Winston is winless (0-1) against the two-time Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens in his career.
“I’m proud of the strong relationship between Hueytown High School, Jameis and his family,” Hueytown High School Principle Dr. Joseph Garner said. “Successful athletics programs play such an integral part in contributing to a school and community culture of excellence.”
The donation will allow current and future students the opportunity to perform at their best academically, athletically, artistically and socially. The money will also allow the athletic teams to have the proper resources to compete at the highest level.
“Words cannot express how thankful I am that Jameis has trusted us enough with his contribution to help meet the daily needs of our student athletes,” Hueytown High School head football coach Greg Patterson said.