In 2014, Jameis Winston was cited for shoplifting crab legs and crawfish from a local supermarket in Tallahassee, Fla., when he was a student at Florida State University. In an attempt to have a little fun at his own expense, Winston went on social media to promote free crab legs for a local fish company.
Jameis Winston Stars in Comedic Crab Legs Advertisement
Winston told fans on social media to get their food for their big football game this weekend at Fulton Fish. If you spend more than $250, you get free crab legs.
First seen on IG 🔥👀🦀 @Jaboowins @FultonFish @TheSFC_official #LetsWinTogether pic.twitter.com/b3y6m20LeS
— Just Win Management Group (@JustWinMGMT) January 17, 2025
Winston is the perfect pitchman for crab legs seeing as how the simple accusation of shoplifting crab legs from a Publix Supermarket in Tallahassee got national attention.
At the time of the incident, Winston said he made a childish mistake.
“I went to the supermarket with the intent to purchase dinner but made a terrible mistake for which I’m taking full responsibility,” Winston said after the incident. “In a moment of youthful ignorance, I walked out of the store without paying for one of my items.”
However, when he was at the ESPN Draft Academy before being the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft, he told Jim Harbaugh a different story.
“Well, a week before, it was my buddy’s birthday and we had got a cake. And we met a dude that worked inside Publix and he said, ‘Hey, anytime you come in here, I got you.’ So that day we just walked out and he hooked us up with that,” Winston said.
“And when I came in to get crab legs, I did the same thing, and he just gave them to me and I walked out. And someone from inside the store had told the security that I didn’t pay for them. And that’s how the whole thing started.”
Winston contradicted his story by saying he walked out without paying for one of the items. However, in the story through his attorney’s office, the crab legs and crawfish were the only items he went to pick up, and he did not pay for either of them.
“I realize that I am in the public spotlight and my conduct needs to be above reproach. Over the last year, I’ve learned that my accomplishments on the fields can be a wonderful thing for my school, teammates, friends, and family,” Winston had said about the incident.
“At the same time, I must realize that my mistakes are magnified and can bring great embarrassment to all those who support me every day. I make no excuses for my actions and will learn and grow from this unfortunate situation. I hope and pray my friends and family will view me as the 20-year-old young man that I am and support me through this unfortunate situation.”
