Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston entered his first game as Florida State's closer Saturday to the theme from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and a standing ovation.
The 20-year-old exited after pitching two scoreless innings during a 4-1 victory over Niagara, earning his first career save. As impressive as his performance on the mound was (dude can, reportedly, hit 95 mph on the radar gun), it was what he did 24 hours prior that made headlines.
You see, when Winston entered Friday's contest…he became just the sixth athlete to win both college football's top individual award and play collegiate baseball in the same year. The last player to do it? Winston's fellow Bessemer, Alabama-native…Bo Jackson back in 1986.
Winston was taken in the 15th round of the 2012 Major League Draft by the Texas Rangers, and, like Jackson, FSU head coach Mike Martin thinks Winston is the real deal when it comes to baseball.
"If he was to go into pro ball as a hitter and an outfielder and things didn't work, there's no doubt in my mind he could pitch," Martin said. "And vice versa. He's that talented."
Of course, there's Winston's other gig…quarterback of the 2014 National Champion Seminoles that pops up from time to time.
"I think that's something that drives Jameis. I really do," Martin continued. "I think he wants to be the next two-sport major leaguer, NFLer."
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