Tag: LASIK

Laser eye surgery, vegan diet among Jameis Winston’s big changes

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston is working to change his life, including LASIK laser eye surgery and a healthier vegan diet.

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A lot of things will need to change before Jameis Winston takes a snap for the New Orleans Saints. He’s slotting in behind Drew Brees and Taysom Hill on the depth chart, and there’s months to go before the NFL preseason kicks off (which is unclear given the state of the coronavirus pandemic).

But Winston is doing everything he can to get his body right, assuring that he’ll be ready once the opportunity presents itself. While his decision to finally undergo LASIK eye surgery after five years in the NFL has been much-discussed, correcting his long-lasting issues with nearsightedness and an astigmatism, Winston has also changed up his diet and training regimen.

“I decided to go vegan. I’ve been vegan for the past three months, four months and it’s just changed my body, drastically. I do cheat every Saturday. I mean, some chicken, or something, I can’t be super vegan or I’d be like 210 pounds,” Winston said during his introductory conference call as a member of the Saints. He chose to try a different diet after meeting with a few physicians specializing in treating professional athletes.

While the 26-year-old quarterback hasn’t been known for his athleticism, he has drawn criticism for a fluctuating playing-weight. Vegan diets have helped players like Tyrann Mathieu and Cam Newton, and it’s good to see he’s taking things more seriously.

As for his recent laser-eye surgery, Winston noted that the immediate changes have manifested while driving without wearing glasses for the first time in his adult life: “I can read license plates, I can read street signs. I think the precision in the vision is the biggest difference.”

It might take some time for Winston to see bigger results, much less for Saints fans to notice a difference. But his proactive approach — combined with his bargain-bin salary — might be a good sign that Winston is committed to turning his career around after flaming out in Tampa Bay.

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Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston eyes fresh start after LASIK surgery

Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston has undergone LASIK to try and correct his vision problems.

The Tampa Bay Bucs’ Jameis Winston is coming off a 30-30 season. Unlike in baseball, those stats are not flattering to a quarterback.

So, what did the former Heisman winner from Florida State do this offseason to try and improve his game, which saw him throw for 30 TDs and interceptions in 2019? How about undergoing LASIK surgery to correct his eyesight troubles.

“Jameis did not want to count out any options that he had that could possibly help him with the game he loves so much,” said Denise White, Winston’s spokesperson. “He doesn’t want to miss out on any opportunity that presents itself. This is the game he loves and he wants to be the best at it and if there are any options that can improve his game he is willing to do it.”

The speculation began when Winston posted a photo on Instagram of him wearing oversized sunglasses.

Winston follows in a tradition set by Vinny Testaverde, another Heisman winner from the Sunshine State — Miami — who was a Buccaneers No. 1 overall pick, too, in 1987.

Testaverde blamed his interceptions on being color blind.

Per the Baltimore Sun in 1996

His worst moment, though, may have occurred in 1990, when Testaverde admitted to television commentator Terry Bradshaw that he was colorblind.

Tampa fans had a field day. A bright blue billboard appeared shortly afterward: “Vinny thinks this is orange.”

“Before I won the Heisman Trophy, no one said a word about me being colorblind,” said Testaverde. “A lot of people think that when you’re colorblind, you can’t see anything but black and white. That’s not true. The definition should be color-confused. It’s more of getting confused about certain colors within shades of other colors, like red or green.

“It really has nothing to do with playing on Sundays. One team is in dark jerseys, the other in white. And if some people have a problem with my condition, that’s their problem, not mine. There is nothing I can do about it.”

Winston has found something he can do about his problem and can only hope it winds up in correcting his habit of throwing to the opposition.