TALLAHASSEE, FL – Former Florida State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston has announced a powerful new initiative that’s already being called one of the most impactful off-field moves by an FSU legend in recent memory.
The project, called “The 850 Project”, is a $2.6 million personal donation from Winston aimed at creating a comprehensive life-skills and mentorship pipeline for underserved teenagers in Florida’s 850 area code—which includes Winston’s hometown of Bessemer (via roots and training) and the greater Tallahassee region where he became a college football legend.
“I made my name in the 850,” Winston said during the emotional press conference held on the campus of Florida State University. “This community gave me the tools to succeed. Now I’m building the tools for the next generation.”
The program will offer year-round mentorship, financial literacy courses, college prep support, digital media labs, and weekly leadership bootcamps for teens between the ages of 13 and 18. It will also include an annual summer summit hosted at FSU, where students will work directly with former athletes, business leaders, and motivational speakers.
The $2.6 million pledge will fund the project for the first five years, and Winston confirmed that he’s already in talks with FSU alumni and NFL teammates to match his contribution by year’s end.
“We’ve built a culture around touchdowns and trophies,” Winston continued. “Now it’s time to build one around trust, tools, and transformation.”
The announcement was met with thunderous applause from students, faculty, and community leaders in attendance. FSU head coach Mike Norvell, who joined Winston onstage, called the moment “bigger than football.”
Winston, who famously led the Seminoles to a national championship in 2013, said the name “850 Project” was intentionally chosen to feel local and personal.
“It’s not just about where we’re from. It’s about what we can become,” he said.
Construction on the first Winston Learning & Leadership Center will begin this fall in Leon County, with satellite locations planned in Pensacola and Panama City by 2026.
