Former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston answered the lawsuit made against him by Erica Kinsman and filed a counterclaim of his own on Friday in federal court in Orlando.

Kinsman -- in a suit filed April 16th -- is suing Winston for sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and intentionally inflicting "emotional distress" after an encounter that occurred back in December of 2012.

Three separate investigations -- carried out by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Florida State Attorney's Office and former state supreme court justice Major Harding -- have found the evidence against Winston did not meet the burden required to arrest him, indict him or find him responsible for a violation of the FSU student code of conduct.

Winston is countersuing Kinsman for defamation, defamation per se and tortious interference with prospective business advantage.

In the countersuit against Kinsman, who is a former FSU student, Winston claims that she has knowingly perpetuated a lie about him, slandered him in the press and damaged his reputation to the point where it has cost him substantially in terms of potential future earnings.

Critics will be quick to point out Winston, the first overall pick in last weekend's NFL Draft, just signed a contract worth 25.35 million dollars. Supporters would likely counter that the sexual assault allegations made against him have potentially cost him millions of dollars in endorsements.

Winston also moved to change venue from Middle to Northern District of Florida.

On May 1, Winston removed the suit against him to federal court. Legally a defendant can remove as a matter of right, provided he meets certain qualifications. The move to a federal court is advantageous because federal court is a forum often thought to be more friendly to defendants and one in which media coverage is strictly limited.

Per a source, Winston could still seek legal action against others, but did not do so in Friday's filing.

Stay tuned to Tomahawk Nation for more details.

Winston Answer by Patrik Nohe