At a Glance
- Jameis Winston told Travis and Jason Kelce he abstained from sex for a year to improve his football performance
- Winston bought a separate property to avoid living with his fiancée before their 2020 wedding
- Jason Kelce joked, “Don’t take a blacklight into that house”
- Why it matters: The admission highlights the extreme measures athletes take to stay focused off the field
Jameis Winston shocked NFL fans and the Kelce brothers alike with a candid confession about his year-long celibacy vow aimed at sharpening his on-field performance. The 32-year-old quarterback detailed the decision during a Jan. 14 appearance on the New Heights podcast.
The Celibacy Decision
Winston described the period as “one of the most up-and-down years off the field.” He proposed to his now-wife Breion while she was eight months pregnant with their first son, Antonor, and simultaneously committed to a strict abstinence plan.
“I was doing this freaking celibacy thing,” Winston told the Kelces. He explained that his parents frequently warned him about “shacking”-living together before marriage-and he chose to eliminate that temptation entirely. To ensure the vow held, he purchased a separate property and stayed away from the family home.
Kelce Brothers React
Jason Kelce’s immediate response drew laughter from all three men: “Don’t take a blacklight into that house.” Travis joined in the laughter as Winston nodded in agreement.
The conversation shifted to accountability. Winston, who most recently played for the New York Giants, said he now asks young athletes, “What are you doing off the field consistently?” He credits the celibacy period with forcing him to examine every choice away from football.
Family Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Winston and Breion begin dating as Alabama high-school athletes |
| 2013 | Winston wins the Heisman Trophy with Breion in attendance |
| 2018 | Couple welcomes first son, Antonor |
| 2020 | Marry in March; second son, Malachi, arrives later that year |
| 2024 | Winston posts Mother’s Day tribute praising Breion’s “commitment and sacrifice” |
Off-Field Accountability
Winston emphasized that performance starts with discipline away from the stadium. He frames the celibacy year as a test of consistency, not just a physical challenge. By separating from Breion until their wedding, he aimed to align every off-field habit with the standards he expected on game day.
In a May 2024 Instagram post, Winston called Breion “a blessing” and thanked her for unmatched “commitment and sacrifice.” The couple, together since high school, have built a family life that Winston publicly celebrates.
Podcast Fallout
The clip of Winston’s confession circulated rapidly on social media, with fans debating both the practicality and the extremity of the vow. Travis Kelce kept the tone light, but the underlying message-that elite athletes obsess over every variable-resonated throughout the NFL community.
Winston’s Giants tenure ended after the 2025 season; he is currently a free agent seeking his next team. Whether another franchise will embrace his unorthodox accountability methods remains to be seen, yet the story reinforces how far players will go to chase peak performance.
Key Takeaways
- Winston’s year-long abstinence was a deliberate effort to boost football focus
- Purchasing a separate property removed the temptation of living with his fiancée
- The Kelce brothers’ reaction mixed humor with respect for the discipline involved
- Winston now preaches off-field consistency to younger athletes
