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FSU Alums: Jameis Winston brings the heat with first pitch at Rays game

Jason Parker
Jason Parker

Chop Chat

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws during pregame warmup against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)

FSU fans know what kind of arm Jameis Winston has – and now, fans of the Tampa Bay Rays know that the NFL quarterback could still pitch and bring it.

For all the accolades that Jameis Winston had during his time on the football field for the Florida State Seminoles, sometimes it is forgotten just how good he was on the baseball diamond. Winston played two seasons under Mike Martin for the Seminoles, including time showing off that arm as the team’s closer.

Now, Winston is getting paid millions of dollars to sling the pigskin around for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – but he hasn’t gotten any rust on that pitching arm as was shown during Sunday’s first pitch before a game for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jameis Winston was selected to throw that first pitch as part of the team’s “Chop at the Trop” promotion to honor FSU and get fans in garnet and gold out to Tropicana Field. When it came time for the quarterback to take the mound, he didn’t hold anything back:

I’m not saying that Jameis Winston is going to be the next Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders and be a two sport athlete, but judging by what we just saw it isn’t as if he couldn’t do it.

Winston’s first pitch was part of the latest trend in which Florida State and their fans are being honored by the state of Florida’s pro teams. Former FSU running back Dalvin Cook threw out the first pitch during a Miami Marlins game in late June that was dubbed FSU Day.

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The Miami Dolphins will be hosting FSU Day at their season opener against Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 10th, with a portion of sales for a special FSU block benefiting the Seminole Clubs of both Miami and Broward County – while the Bucs will be hosting their own day when they host the Detroit Lions on December 10th.

Jason Parker

Jason Parker

Jason Parker joined ChopChat in March 2016 as co-expert while also writing for a year with FanSided, focusing on college football and the NFL. He has spent 15 years in the sports media business - including over a decade working for TV stations in both Tallahassee and Miami. There, he has covered events that include everything from the Super Bowl to the NBA Finals to countless bowl games and National Championships. Jason added writing sports on the web to his resume in 2014, serving as a staff writer and college football insider for another site before becoming editor-in-chief. He graduated from FSU with a B.A. in Communication and may be the biggest 'Noles fan there is. Jason resides in South Florida surrounded by way too many fans of the 'Canes, but at least they aren't as many Gators.