LOS ANGELES » If someone else said it, it would be considered by most as just funny. But when Jameis Winston exaggerated to make a point, some reading on social media took what he said as disrespecting an NFL star — as well as his opponent.

A hot topic as Florida State and Oregon prepare for the Rose Bowl is the absence of injured Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, and if that means the Seminoles will try to pick on the All-American’s replacement (most likely second-year freshman Chris Seisay).

"I said a lot of times, and I don’t mean to come off as arrogant, but we don’t discriminate," Winston said when asked about targeting potential weak points . "Even if (Ekpre-Olomu) was on the field we were going to be looking forward to playing him … It’s not just attacking one player or picking on somebody. …"

"We don’t fear nobody. (Seattle Seahawks All-Pro) Richard Sherman get out there and line up against us, we wouldn’t throw away from him neither."

At that point, Florida State quarterbacks coach Randy Sanders interjected.

"Personally, I’m glad we’re not playing Richard Sherman," Sanders said.

Winston was effusive in his praise for his fellow Heisman Trophy winner, and opposite number in Thursday’s game, Marcus Mariota.

"A guy that can have 38 touchdown (passes) and only two interceptions, that’s special. I think he has all the tools. That guy is fast. He has a great arm. He leads his team, quietly, but those guys rally behind him. He affects everyone else around him.

"It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a guy as efficient and talented as he is on the field."

Buckner proud of Mariota

Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner said he was happy Mariota won the Heisman Trophy, not just as a teammate, but as a friend and fellow Polynesian (like Mariota, he is part-Samoan) and representative of their home state of Hawaii.

"I’m definitely very proud of him," Buckner said. "Like he said, when one person wins, all of Hawaii wins."

Buckner said he is also proud to represent his hometown of Waianae.

"It’s nice being able to make a difference in the community in a sense and being able to show younger kids that no matter how small a place you’re from that you can make it in bigger places."

Locals in Rose Bowl parade

Roy Fujiwara, a 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran of World War II from Hawaii, will be on the City of Alhambra float in the Tournament of Roses parade.

The 50th state will also be represented by the Maui High School band, as well as pa‘u riders.

Another WWII veteran, Louis Zamperini, whose incredible life was chronicled in the book and movie "Unbroken," was to have served as the parade’s grand marshal. But Zamperini died of pneumonia on July 2 at age 97, just a few weeks after he was chosen for the honor.