Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher tells suspended Heisman quarterback Jameis Winston to go back to the locker room and change out of uniform.
(Photo: Mark Wallheiser, AP)

Jimbo Fisher blamed himself and the football staff for the awkward moment on Saturday night when suspended star Jameis Winston arrived on the field in full uniform ahead of No. 1 Florida State’s clash with Clemson.

“That was a miscommunication between us and the locker room,” Fisher said in a news conference Monday.

It was “our fault internally,” said Fisher, who noted that the equipment staff had placed Winston’s uniform in his locker.

With backup Sean Maguire playing quarterback Saturday, the No. 1 Seminoles survived at home against No. 24 Clemson, 23-17, winning on Karlos Williams’ 12-yard touchdown run in overtime.

Winston, who has drawn scrutiny for a multitude of smaller issues in addition to the sexual assault accusation that was made against him last fall, was initially supposed to serve a suspension only for the first half after it came to light Tuesday that he shouted a vulgar obscenity in the student union, mimicking an Internet prank. The suspension was changed to the full game late Friday night.

“At the end of the day we felt like the one game made the most sense, and I chose to keep that process internal,” Fisher said after the game. “Now he’s served that punishment and he’s ready to move forward.”

When asked Monday whether Winston’s actions have affected the way his teammates see him and his ability to lead them, Fisher said, “No. They love him.”

SOURCE: USA Today Sports