It's been nearly a decade since former Florida State National Champion and Heisman winner Jameis Winston helped guide the program to a berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff. At the time, the Seminoles were on the longest streak in school history after winning 29 straight games prior to falling to Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
Nine years later, the Seminoles find themselves on the outside looking in despite finishing the 2023 season as an undefeated Power Five conference champion on a 19-game winning streak, the second-longest in program history. It's a travesty to the sport and a slap in the face to a team that overcame losing its star signal-caller to a season-ending injury by covering the spread in victories against Florida and Louisville.
Plenty of former players and personalities around the sport have offered their takes on the situation over the last 48 hours. Winston was "hurt" by the College Football Playoff Committee's decision but congratulated the Seminoles on bringing another ACC Championship to Tallahassee.
“My initial reaction, I was hurt. Especially with the defensive performance that we put on. The amazing job by our head coach Mike Norvell for finding a way to will a championship with his third-string quarterback," Winston said. "I think it's way bigger than what we can see from the naked eye. However, Florida State, you continue to have an incredible season, you continue to persevere regardless of the naysayers, regardless of who tries to limit you from your destiny. Which, they're not finished, we've still got to go and finish strong."
"I just commend Mike Norvell and that team for rallying behind Jordan and playing great football. Going into the swamp, playing against a tough team. Anytime you're in a rivalry game, it's going to be a tough game," Winston continued. "You saw that with Alabama and Auburn - I think Alabama's a team they put in front of us. And finishing strong, when you're a champion, it feels good. I'm just proud of those guys, proud of our head coach for bringing another [conference] championship to Florida State."
Winston helped lead Florida State to its only playoff appearance in program history in 2014. The Seminoles finished 14-0 before ultimately coming up short to the Ducks in Pasadena. On the season, Winston completed 305/467 passes (65.3%) for 3,907 yards with 25 touchdowns to 18 interceptions while adding three more scores on the ground. He was at the forefront of four game-winning touchdown drives to keep the undefeated streak afloat for nearly 30 consecutive games.
The Seminole Legend has continued to be an ambassador for the program since moving on from Tallahassee and had his jersey retired by Florida State earlier this season.
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