You said "If I was under consideration for an award, promotion, etc. that was predicated not only on my performance, but on character and integrity, I can assure you I would go out of my way to avoid situations where such accusations could be made." Last December, Jameis Winston was just another promising redshirt freshman who hadn't yet played a down and wasn't under consideration for anything. He gave in to the advances of a beautiful young girl who regarded "hookups" with athletes as sport.
And this December, when he was under consideration for the Heisman, the controversy about a possible cover up, the DA's delayed decision, whether or not he was going to be charged, etc. were simultaneously being discussed in the headlines.
Winston could have easily said, "Look, there are a lot of headlines and bad publicity that are going to be tied to college football's highest award by virtue of these unsubstantiated charges. In deference to past award winners, and out of my respect for the dignity of the aware, please withdraw my name from consideration this year."
Except that would have taken class.