Jameis Winston, the top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, is one of the most outgoing and influential people in the league. The Cleveland Browns quarterback's pre-kickoff speech to his teammates has often made headlines.
Winston was thrust into the starting role for the Browns' Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury on October 20.
The Browns entered last Sunday's game on a five-game losing streak. But perhaps Winston's speech, and certainly his 334 passing yards and three touchdowns, helped propel Cleveland to a 29-24 upset victory over Baltimore.
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October 27, 2024. Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, 5, takes a selfie after defeating the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field. Required Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
His bombastic pregame speech is unique in itself. On Wednesday, he defended the credibility of his motivational message and pushed back against the idea that he was rehearsing his speech.
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“Listen, brother, this is me,” Winston told reporters. “Like a lot of people, if you take the time to try and understand, 'Who is this guy?' It's a waste of time, it's me rehearsing, if you want to listen to Call me, I'll rehearse for that. I'll be doing it in the mirror. So if you want to see what I'm rehearsing, you'll find me going through the playbook. Please.”
Cleveland Browns No. 5 Jameis Winston warms up before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 8, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
A few years ago, a video went viral on social media platforms showing Winston asking his teammates if they would be interested in eating the “W”.
“That's a W… let's eat… How many of you want to eat a W tonight?” Winston said before the game. Earlier this year, Winston discussed “Pardon My Take” and explained that the saying comes from motivational speeches that he enjoys.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, 5, throws against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
“I've been eating W's since the beginning,” Winston said. “It started a long time ago because my last name is W and the first four letters of my last name mean ‘victory’. Go and check the facts, it's probably on Wikipedia. ”
“It all stemmed from one of my favorite motivational speeches, and it was all about a bowl of it. You guys remember soup? Alphabet soup,” Winston said. asked.
Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman said of Winston's recent pregame speech, “I'm not going to lie…it made me laugh a little bit.”
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The win over the Ravens was the second time this year the Browns were in the win column. But Winston and the Browns will look to keep that momentum going when they welcome the Los Angeles Chargers to Cleveland this Sunday.
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