Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 5-1-20

Local
Community Responds To Winston Signing With Saints
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Jameis Winston has fi- nalized a one-year contract with the Saints to back up Drew Brees in New Orleans.
Published reports say that Winston is signing for much less than the $20 million he received from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. The re- ports also say that Winston is taking the cut (he’s report- edly getting $5M) so that he can study under Brees, who is expected to retire soon.
Chances are Jameis will see a lot of football from the bench learning from Drew Brees.
The Sentinel spoke with some former NFL players to see how they felt about Win- ston going to the Saints.
Former Tampa Bay Bucca- neer Jerry Bell said, “I wish him the best. He will do well as a backup for Drew Brees. Jameis was a good quarter- back for the Bucs with some fundamentals that should have been addressed. You have a quarterback who throws for over 9,000 yards in 2 years, you can’t say he’s not a good quarterback. I think he could have worked out here with an offensive line and a running game.”
Bruce Taylor, who played 9 years as a defensive back with the San Francisco
JERRY BELL
49ers is happy that Jameis was picked up.
“He’s young (26 years old) and has another opportunity. He’s still learning. Some quar- terbacks are just beginning to play at that age; he has played 5 years. He has been through so much and experienced a lot.
“I’m disappointed the Bucs released him outright, but I like that team (Saints) for him. It’s a great organization. It’s important that he has an opportunity under a good coach and a chance to work with a great quarterbacks coach.”
Tyrone Keys of All Sports Community Service (ASCS), earned a Super Bowl ring with the Chicago Bears, but ended his professional ca- reer with the Tampa Bay Buc-
TYRONE KEYS
(Shown with Jameis, Titus O’Neil, Ricky Sailor, Tampa Police, youth and others at the Kickball event)
Bruce Taylor (left, white shirt), San Francisco 49ers, says Jameis attended a NFL Alumni meeting his rookie year in Tampa.
caneers. Keys has a plethora of photographs of Winston intermingling with children and adults in the Tampa Bay community. He says Win- ston was always a community person.
“We could always count on Jameis Winston - he con- nected the community and cops together with a kickball game in Central Tampa - where there was a lot of dis- trust between the 2.
“We wish him nothing but the best,” Keys said.
One of Winston’s fans, Albert Owens (Bucified Bert) said:
“I want him to do ‘great,’ for the community in New Or- leans, but I wish he had picked a team, outside of the Bucs, South division. That means we have to play the
ALBERT OWENS
(Tampa Bay’s Bucified Bert)
Super Fan Brother, Lionel Alphonso, aka Da Pope.
He will be blessing Jameis in New Orleans.
(This photo was taken in Canton, Ohio, at the NFL Hall Of Fame Parade.)
Saints twice, and I have to look at my friend, wearing the enemy’s colors.
“Our Tampa Bucs players, and fans have not been to the play-offs, since 2007. So we must win, in our division, this 2020 football season, mainly, because the Super Bowl, is in Tampa Bay, and we want to be the first team ever, to host,
and play in the Super Bowl; we want to make history.
“So he will always be in my heart, thanks for his commu- nity work; I will cheer for him always, in life, and on the op- posing team, that he will sign up with, except, for when his new team, plays against the Tampa Bay Bucs. He will do well, wherever he goes.”
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020