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Jameis Winston’s ‘Eat a W’ ritual lives on at Florida State

The Bucs quarterback was lampooned for his finger-licking pregame talk before a game last season at New Orleans, but the basketball team at his alma mater celebrated a big win Wednesday night in Jameis style.
 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) celebrates with offensive guard Evan Smith (62) and center Joe Hawley (68) after coming from behind to win an NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. [Times files (2017)]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) celebrates with offensive guard Evan Smith (62) and center Joe Hawley (68) after coming from behind to win an NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. [Times files (2017)]
Published Feb. 15, 2018|Updated Feb. 15, 2018

Jameis Winston's pregame "Eat a 'W'" speech didn't go over too well the last time he gave it in front of the cameras and teammates.

Before the Bucs-Saints game in New Orleans on Nov. 5, Winston formed a "W" with the fingers on his right hand and proceeded to pretend to chew on and lick his fingers while asking teammates repeatedly, "Who wants to eat a 'W' tonight?"

Their reaction appeared to range from bewilderment (DeSean Jackson) to "this again?" (Demar Dotson). Watch for yourself.

The video went viral.  The motivation did not. Tampa Bay lost, 30-10.

But on Dec. 3 after a win over the Lions, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco did his own "W" eating.

Winston re-injured his shoulder in that loss at New Orleans and missed the next three games. Upon his return, there weren't anymore of Winston's W-eating pregame talks.

But if you think Flacco or anyone else shamed him into giving up a motivational switch he has flipped at least since his Florida State days, think again.

When the FSU basketball team rallied from 18 points down to beat No. 11 Clemson 81-79 in overtime Wednesday, Seminoles sophomore guard Trent Forrest, the hero of the comeback, celebrated in Winston's W-eating style.

Watch below for the guy wearing No. 3, Jameis' number.