Tragic News from Jacksonville, Florida
Good evening, I’m reporting live with breaking news out of Jacksonville, Florida, where former South Carolina and UConn basketball player, Eric Cobb, has been arrested and charged with the second-degree murder of his mother, Erika Winford. According to the Florida Times-Union, Cobb, a Jacksonville native, was taken into custody after his mother was found deceased in their backyard on Tuesday morning, wrapped in blankets and towels.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were called to the home for a wellness check after a family friend noticed “a large area of blood outside and what appeared to be a body wrapped in a blanket.” The friend had visited the home following concerns about Winford’s safety. It was reported that on Monday evening, a neighbor heard a woman screaming, “He’s going to kill me”, and another neighbor reported hearing multiple gunshots in the same time frame.
Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found Cobb alone inside the house. When they uncovered the body of Erika Winford, they discovered multiple gunshot wounds to her head, stomach, and left leg. Further examination revealed blood stains and bullet marks in the hallway, along with signs that the area had been partially cleaned.
Authorities also found disturbing evidence inside the home. At the foot of Cobb’s bed, officers discovered a soft case containing an AR-style rifle and a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, both with live rounds inside. Additionally, a trash bin nearby contained 14 spent 9mm shell casings.
A friend of Winford’s, who had spent Sunday with her, shared that she seemed fearful when he dropped her off at home. The following day, when the friend returned to check on her, there was no answer at the door. It was only after inspecting the rear of the property that he found the blood and blankets, prompting him to call authorities.
Reports reveal that Winford had previously expressed fear of her son, describing him as “possessed” and suffering from schizophrenia. She had also reportedly been worried about Cobb’s inability to afford his medication. Cobb’s other son disclosed that he had moved out over a month ago after an altercation with their mother, during which Cobb “cursed out” Winford.
Cobb, 28, had a tumultuous career in basketball. Standing at 6-foot-9, he played for both UConn and South Carolina between 2015 and 2019. His time at South Carolina ended abruptly in 2016 after he was dismissed following an arrest for shooting vehicles with a BB gun. Cobb then transferred to Chipola College and later rejoined UConn, where he played in 47 games, averaging 3.7 points and 3.8 rebounds during the 2018-19 season.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to follow any updates on this tragic incident.
![Shane Beamer has earned significant praise for his performance during the 2024 season, with the Gamecocks finishing at a solid 9-4, a huge improvement from their 5-7 record last year. However, while his success on the field is a point of celebration for South Carolina fans, his off-field actions are also making headlines – and not always in a positive light. Let me tell you why.
Beamer has found himself in the center of several controversies, including accusations of Ole Miss misusing injuries and recent remarks about the SEC's dominance over other conferences, which have caused frustration among analysts, journalists, and fans alike.
In a conversation with On3, Beamer shared his thoughts on the SEC’s standing above other conferences. "Look, I’ve got great respect for other conferences. I’ve been to other conferences. I’ve been [a] part of the ACC, I’ve been [a] part of the Big 12. There’s no question that there [is] good football everywhere… But when you just talk about the teams in this league, and the teams you play week in and week out, it’s different. And you look at the NFL draft every single year, It’s 20 straight years that the SEC has led the nation in draft picks. People can say, ‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’ Well, yeah, it does. We’re playing the best players in the country..."
So far, that was typical praise for the SEC. But Beamer didn’t stop there. His next comments stirred up controversy.
“I’ve been a part of other leagues where you go into a stadium, and there are 20,000 people in the stands, and you’re in a Power Four conference. Not at this conference. Every road venue you go in[to], you’re playing in front of 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, 100,000 people every single Saturday,” Beamer added. While some of his comments hold truth, they didn’t sit well with many supporters of other conferences.
Drake C Troll, host of the Locked on Big 12 podcast, immediately challenged Beamer’s statements.
"Everything Shane Beamer said, the SEC is good no doubt no one’s trying to take it away from you. The SEC is the best conference in college football. Guess what? We’re actually giving it to you in the form of money. We’re giving you more money. But now you have to come to a podium and tell me that we’re so good. You know who does this: Head coaches whose teams won’t make the NCAA tournament." Troll pointed out the irony, noting that while Beamer's team may have come close to making the playoffs, they still didn’t qualify, making Beamer’s remarks less than ideal.
Drake also raised a few concerns about the Gamecocks’ shortcomings that Beamer seemed to ignore. One key issue was South Carolina's loss to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl. Illinois, a Big Ten team, doesn’t compete in the SEC, yet Beamer wasn’t addressing the defeat.
Troll also pointed out the danger of excessive self-promotion: “Anyone who tells you they’re number one probably isn’t number one. Anybody you ask to go in there and say hey, we’re the best ever, and everybody who has continued to tout themselves in the resume is doing it because one reason that’s because they have a deficiency somewhere they want you to ignore.”
Indeed, despite their successful season, the Gamecocks did have some glaring weaknesses. Early turnover issues were a problem, and their penalty yards per game were among the highest in the SEC, ranking as low as 15th by Week 6. Though they improved over the course of the season, they finished 10th in penalties. Their sack totals also left much to be desired, with the team finishing 13th in that department.
In the end, it’s clear that while Beamer's 2024 season was a success in many ways, some weaknesses are still present. If Beamer continues to make bold, headline-grabbing statements, analysts and fans may begin to scrutinize those gaps in his team’s performance more closely. Only time will tell if he can address these issues as effectively as he handles his public persona.](https://footballtopstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Shane-Beamer.webp)
