The Florida State Seminoles scored 33 straight points to rally from behind and upend the Ole Miss Rebels in the season-opener. Part of the reason for the team’s turnaround could be attributed to a fiery halftime speech from former star quarterback Jameis Winston.
Winston addressed his speech when speaking to the media this week and explained his reasoning for trying to rally the troops in the locker room.
“I just didn’t want those kids to be looking like that on national TV,” Winston said, via the Tampa Bay Times.
“Coach (Jimbo) Fisher, he’s a great coach and I knew they had it in them. Just had to light some fire. Tell you about that No. 12 (quarterback Deondre Francois) for Florida State, baby. He’s a baller.”
Francois, who was making his college debut, finished the game with 419 yards and two touchdowns.
But while the team struggled in the first half and needed to get right back on the right track, Winston was there to ensure the players did not let themselves or head coach Jimbo Fisher down.
“I couldn’t even give you a summary of what I said. It was truly just from the heart, because I love those guys in there,” Winston said. “I knew how hard coach (Jimbo) Fisher worked to prepare those guys.
“… That’s what I felt was needed. I tried to be quiet when I first got there, but I felt we needed that. I really don’t think they needed it. I think coach (Jimbo) Fisher was going to get in their tail — like he could barely talk — but he was still getting on them. I just felt like I needed to say that.”
If Winston can bring that same passion and energy to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers locker room, head coach Dirk Koetter is going to have one of the best young leaders in the NFL running his offense.
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