Rape lawsuit against Florida State involving Winston to continue
TAMPA, Florida — A federal judge on Wednesday denied a motion by Florida State University to dismiss a civil rights lawsuit filed by a former student who alleged the school failed to properly investigate her accusations that star quarterback Jameis Winston raped her.
The decision comes as Winston, the No. 1 pick in this year’s National Football League draft, begins his professional career as the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 21-year-old athlete did not face criminal charges in what he has maintained was a consensual encounter in 2012, and he was cleared of any student conduct code violations.
Yet the case is still generating interest. Critics of the university say its response was an example of how professional and collegiate sports organizations have repeatedly failed to deal properly with star players accused of mistreating women.
The woman, Erica Kinsman, in January sued the university under Title IX, which requires colleges receiving federal funds to investigate sexual abuse complaints properly. She has also filed a civil suit against Winston, who filed a counterclaim.
In Wednesday’s decision, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee acknowledged that Florida State disputed some of her facts, and had argued its response was diligent or at least not “clearly unreasonable” under federal statute.
Still, he found the case should move forward.
“Viewed in the light most favorable to Ms. Kinsman, the complaint plausibly alleges deliberate indifference during this period that effectively denied her the ability to attend FSU,” he wrote.
Kinsman, who ultimately transferred to another university, is seeking monetary damages from Florida State.
NBA schedule includes Finals rematch on Christmas
The 2015-16 NBA schedule unveiled Wednesday features a Christmas Day rematch of last season’s championship series between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers and LeBron James visit the defending champion Warriors and Stephen Curry for a 5 p.m. start in the middle of the holiday lineup that starts with the New Orleans Pelicans visiting the Miami Heat at noon and the Chicago Bulls at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The final two games on the Christmas menu are the San Antonio Spurs at the Houston Rockets in a Texas tussle and the Los Angeles Clippers meeting the Los Angeles Lakers.
The season opens Oct. 27.
NBA to hold Basketball Without Borders camp
Corey Brewer and Al Horford are among the players participating in the NBA’s first Basketball Without Borders camp in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, next week.
The NBA and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced Wednesday that Brewer (Houston Rockets; U.S.), Horford (Atlanta Hawks; Dominican Republic) and Charlie Villanueva (Dallas Mavericks; U.S.; parents from Dominican Republic) will join Luc Mbah a Moute (most recently with the Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon), as well as former NBA players Francisco Garcia (Dominican Republic national team), Tito Horford (Dominican Republic) and Felipe Lopez (former Dominican Republic national team player) to lead 51 campers from 18 North and South American countries at the BWB Americas 2015 camp Aug. 16-19.
As part of BWB Americas 2015, the top players from around the world born in 1998 will have the opportunity to learn directly from NBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and to compete against players from North and South America.
Clowney set for Texans’ return
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is on schedule to begin practicing with the team on Monday, but coach Bill O’Brien cautions he won’t rush him back.
Clowney, who remains on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee, has been working out separately from teammates thus far in training camp.
O’Brien has been hopeful last year’s No. 1 overall pick will be ready to play in Week 1. Clowney spent the offseason rehabbing and taking part in some weight room activities.