Jameis Winston Countersues Sexual Assault Accuser: Latest Details and Comments

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has reportedly filed a countersuit against Erica Kinsman, the woman who accused him of sexual assault in December 2012, per Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times. 

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The No. 1 overall NFL draft pick and former Florida State star filed a counterclaim Friday against Zephyrhills' Erica Kinsman, alleging her accusations are "false, defamatory … and have maliciously and impermissibly interfered with Mr. Winston's business and personal relationships." 

The counterclaim seeks damages in excess of $75,000.

"Mr. Winston brings this action against Ms. Kinsman out of necessity, not malice or ill will," the court filing said. "Nonetheless, Ms. Kinsman's false statements have irreparably harmed in his professional and personal life."

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State attorney Willie Meggs decided not to press criminal charges against Winston in December 2013, telling the public that he did not have enough evidence to go to court.

Kinsman has since filed a Title IX lawsuit against Florida State University in January and sued the former Seminoles quarterback in civil court on April 16, alleging that Winston committed assault, sexual battery, false imprisonment and an intentional inflicting of "emotional distress."

Winston's lawyers, John F. Meyers and David Cornwell, said Kinsman's allegations have been largely rebuffed at multiple legal levels and by FSU's disciplinary committee.

"However, Ms. Kinsman has been successful in one major area," the lawyers argued in their countersuit, per Baker. "She has mounted a false and vicious media campaign to vilify Mr. Winston with the objective of getting him to pay her to go away. Ms. Kinsman is motivated by the most insidious objectives—greed."

Winston took part in the team's rookie minicamp Friday and is projected to be the starting quarterback this season for Tampa Bay.